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Pakefield: Floral tributes for woman who died after robbery Pakefield: Woman described attackers to police before death
(about 2 hours later)
Joy Middleditch died on Monday from injuries she sustained when her home was broken into on SaturdayJoy Middleditch died on Monday from injuries she sustained when her home was broken into on Saturday
Floral tributes have been left outside the home of an 82-year-old woman who died after masked intruders broke into her bungalow. An 82-year-old gave a description of the masked men who entered her home and stole her handbag before she died, triggering a murder investigation.
Joy Middleditch was found injured by officers called to her property on Grayson Avenue, Pakefield, Suffolk, just before 14:00 GMT on Saturday. Joy Middleditch was found by her family, injured but conscious, in her bungalow on Grayson Avenue, Pakefield, Suffolk, on Saturday afternoon.
A murder investigation was launched after she died on Monday. She told relatives and police officers that she had heard a noise at the door before two masked men forced their way in and knocked her to the ground.
She died in hospital on Monday morning.
Acting Supt Sarsfield Donohue, of Suffolk Police, said the only description of the suspects was given by Ms Middleditch herself.
It was believed the robbery happened at some point between Friday evening and Saturday morning, the force said.
Officers were called to her home at about 14:00 GMT on Saturday after relatives found her lying on the floor.
Mr Donohue said she was found "conscious and breathing" but was in a "serious condition" and was taken to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk.
Flowers left outside 82-year-old Joy Middleditch's home
He said the handbag that was stolen was recovered "a short distance away in Nelson Road".
"Missing from that we definitely know was a purse," he said.
"The family seem to think it was a black and white chequered pattern purse, so that's what we're looking for at the moment.
"As for the finer detail about what was in the purse in terms of cash, etc. I don't have that detail."
He said searches were continuing at Ms Middleditch's home and in the surrounding streets, including for "any discarded items, particularly looking for the purse".
"We're also doing a CCTV trawl of the immediate area and surrounding roads," said Mr Donohue.
Rector Sharon Lord led a service at All Saints' and St Margaret's Church and lit a candle in memory of Ms Middleditch
Mr Donohue described the incident as a "callous and cowardly attack on an elderly and vulnerable victim".
He said police would do "everything in our power to catch and convict those responsible".
The force appealed for witnesses and any dash cam or door bell camera footage.
Police started a murder investigation after Ms Middleditch died on Monday from injuries sustained in the robbery
Prayers were said and a candle was lit for her during a service at nearby All Saints' and St Margaret's Church.Prayers were said and a candle was lit for her during a service at nearby All Saints' and St Margaret's Church.
Rector Sharon Lord said the community in south Lowestoft was in shock.Rector Sharon Lord said the community in south Lowestoft was in shock.
"I am completely devastated for the family of Joy Middleditch, there are no words," she said."I am completely devastated for the family of Joy Middleditch, there are no words," she said.
"Pakefield is a close-knit seaside village, it has a wonderful community atmosphere and because of that, many people retire here."Pakefield is a close-knit seaside village, it has a wonderful community atmosphere and because of that, many people retire here.
"It's normally a wonderful, safe place to live but this incident has really rocked our community.""It's normally a wonderful, safe place to live but this incident has really rocked our community."
Police name woman who died after home break-in
Pakefield woman in 80s dies after house burgled
Police said it had been reported that masked men forced entry into the pensioner's property and knocked her to the ground before stealing her handbag.
It was believed the robbery happened at some point between Friday evening and Saturday morning.
Rector Sharon Lord led a service at All Saints' and St Margaret's Church and lit a candle in memory of Ms Middleditch
Ms Middleditch was found lying on the floor conscious and injured, police said.
She was taken to James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, but died in the early hours of Monday morning.
The force said her stolen handbag was later found in nearby Nelson Road but her purse was missing.
Police started a murder investigation after Ms Middleditch died on Monday from injuries sustained in the robbery
Acting Supt Sarsfield Donohue described the incident as a "callous and cowardly attack on an elderly and vulnerable victim".
He said Suffolk Police would do "everything in our power to catch and convict those responsible".
The force appealed for witnesses.
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