COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Pamela Smedberg says losing her 32-year-old daughter to colon cancer was the most pain she has ever felt.
“It's the hardest thing I have ever been through,” she said.
Smedberg’s a pain is only amplified by the fact that she and her husband couldn't give their daughter proper burial.
“I couldn't afford to pay for a full funeral,” said
Smedberg says her daughter's casket was among the few things donated to them and says her other daughter Kirsten stepped and created a GoFundMe account to help pay for all of the unexpected expenses.
"We were supposed to have expenses paid for a headstone and service,” said Smedberg.
Instead, Smedberg said her daughter gave her less than half of the thousands of dollars she raised for her sister.
“Before Kirsten left to go back to Seattle she gave her dad $500 cash, that's what we have,” said Smedberg.
Since then, and despite email correspondence between Kirsten and her mother, Smedberg said her daughter allegedly refuses to hand over the remaining funds.
“It angers me. It's seems like it's all about herself instead of taking care of her sister's wishes,” said Smedberg.
But there isn't much Smedberg can do. GoFundMe representatives told her they don't get involved in personal disputes and will not be able to help her claim the money because she is not the primary or sole beneficiary.
Denver7 reached out to Kirsten, along with GoFundMe, for statements. Neither group has responded.
