The family of a grandmother who passed away following a house invasion and assault by masked intruders is concerned that the “scumbags” behind the incident will carry out another burglary unless they are apprehended.
Joy Middleditch, 82, was seriously injured after being pushed to the ground by burglars who broke into her cottage on Saturday night (March 26).
Later, a family member worried for the mother of three and great-great-grandmother discovered her laying on the floor and brought her to the hospital.
But despite receiving treatment she succumbed to her injuries and passed away on Monday.
Before she passed, she told police two men wearing face coverings had forced their way into her home.
The only item the thieves appeared to have stolen was a handbag containing her purse.
Her handbag was later found in Nelson Road, Pakefield, while the purse is still missing. It is believed that it may be a black and white check pattern purse.
Suffolk Police have launched a murder investigation into the incident but there have currently been no arrests.
There has been a large police presence within Pakefield and area around Grayson Avenue where Mrs Middleditch lived as officers carry out searches and door to door enquiries.
Her great niece Rebekka Arnold later made an emotional plea on Facebook for information to help find the killers, describing them as ‘horrible scumbags’.
She said in her post: ‘This was my great aunt. If you are from the Pakefield/Lowestoft area and have any information whatsoever on the people that did this or were in the area around the time of the incident you may have dashcam footage that could be useful, please contact Suffolk Police as soon as possible to bring these horrible scumbags to justice!’
In another post, she said: ‘How can anyone ever sleep at night knowing they did this to an elderly lady? Makes me sick, hopefully someone will be able to find something that leads to these monsters.’
A neighbour said that Joy lived alone with her nine-year-old Lhasa Apso dog called Zen, following the death of her husband several years ago, and walked with the aid of a frame.
The neighbour who asked not to be named, added: ‘She was a lovely lady. This is an extremely quiet area and I can’t believe what has happened.’
Another local resident Doris Kirsten said Joy regularly attended weekly coffee mornings and lunches at Lowestoft Centre for Over 60s.
Ms Kirsten said: ‘She would be collected in a minibus after it picked me up. She was a quiet lady, but she was really nice.
‘She would come out on her little walker, and would stay on at the club for something to eat.’
Retired teacher Peter Byatt, who is a councillor on east Suffolk Council, added: ‘It was both deeply saddening and concerning to hear about this vicious, cowardly attack on one of our elderly residents.
‘My fellow ward councillors and I extend our condolences to the family on their loss under such tragic circumstances.’
A neighbour called Patricia added: ‘It’s very difficult to believe that in this quiet street, where everybody says hello to each other, that something so tragic could have happened.’
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick of the Joint Major Investigations Team said: ‘We are investigating this incident as a murder as we seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the woman’s death. This is an awful and distressing incident and we will continue to support the victim’s family in any way we can.
‘A large number of officers and staff have already been involved in the investigation, with searches and house to house enquiries taking place today. Residents should expect to see a continued increased police presence over the coming days.
‘We are exploring all and any lines of inquiry and I would urge anyone with any information, no matter how small you think it may be, to get in touch with the police.’