Teens Quizzed Over Death Of Ashes Widow - Sky News

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5:15am UK, Sunday November 27, 2011

Police are questioning two teenagers on suspicion of murdering a widow who died after muggers stole her handbag containing her husband's ashes.

Nellie Geraghty, 79, had carried the ashes of her husband Frank with her since his death 17 years ago.

The pensioner desperately tried to cling onto the bag during the robbery in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

But she suffered fatal head injuries and was found collapsed in an alleyway near her home in Shaw after the incident last Thursday.

She died at Royal Oldham Hospital the following day and police launched a murder inquiry.

Greater Manchester Police said two youths, aged 14 and 17, were originally arrested on suspicion of robbery but are now being quizzed on suspicion of murder.

Mrs Geraghty died at Royal Oldham Hospital from injuries sustained in the mugging

Mrs Geraghty carried her husband's ashes in a blue velvet bag she made herself. She was also carrying £200 in cash when she was attacked.

The black handbag was missing at the scene but the strap was still in the pensioner's hand.

A statement issued by the victim's family said: "Nellie is much loved and will always be remembered by all her friends and family.

"We have lost the best mum in the world, the best sister, grandmother, auntie and friend a person could ever have.

"The world would be a better place if there were more people like you. Heaven will be blessed with your presence. Our sad loss is heaven's gain.

"We will miss you terribly, until we meet again, my mum, my sister my friend rest in peace."

Map shows where Mrs Geraghty was found after being mugged

Superintendent Catherine Hankinson, from Greater Manchester Police, told Sky News the investigating officers were keeping an open mind about the crime.

"There has been a level of violence used. Clearly Nellie has ended up on the floor and as a result of those injuries she's now sadly passed away," she said.

"Nellie's sister and children are absolutely devastated by what's happened, and the fact that their dad's ashes were also in that bag and are now missing just makes this even more difficult to cope with."

Anyone with information about the incident near to the junction of Kershaw Street and Victoria Street should call police on 0161 8568951 or independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Mrs Geraghty's family revealed she used to work in a cotton mill