UK widow dies after mugging - Sky News Australia

Updated: 04:14, Sunday November 27, 2011

An elderly widow in the UK has died after muggers stole her handbag containing her husband's ashes.

Nellie Geraghty, 79, suffered fatal head injuries as she desperately tried to cling onto the bag during the robbery in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

Police have launched a murder inquiry after she died in Royal Oldham Hospital at around midnight on Friday. Two youths have been arrested on suspicion of robbery.

Mrs Geraghty was found collapsed in an alleyway near her home in Shaw just before noon on Thursday.

Inside her handbag was a blue velvet bag she made herself containing the ashes of her husband, Frank - who died 17 years ago - in a small box, and also 200 in cash.

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

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

Superintendent Catherine Hankinson, from Greater Manchester Police, said 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 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.