28 March 2023 , 18:53
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The family of a pensioner who died after masked burglars raided her home fear the “monsters” responsible will strike again unless they are caught.
Joy Middleditch, 82, died two days after thugs burst into her home and knocked her to the ground.
A family member concerned for her safety found mother-of-three Mrs Middleditch lying on the floor of her home in the early hours of Saturday.
She was taken to hospital but died on Monday - but not before telling police of two men wearing face coverings storming her bungalow.
Police confirmed they had launched a murder probe after the frail widow died following the “vicious and cowardly” attack.
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As a manhunt was launched the victim’s great niece, Rebekka Arnold, 30, appealed for anyone with dashcam footage to come forward, saying: “It’s terrifying that these people are still out there.”
Suffolk Police have launched a murder probe (East Anglia News Service)She said: “This was my great aunt. If you are from the Pakefield/Lowestoft area ad 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.”
She added: “Just hoping somebody will have the information to help catch them before they do this to somebody else, the fact they’re still out there is really worrying.”
In another emotional Facebook post she said: “How could 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 finding these monsters.”
Police are searching the nearby roads around Joy's home (East Anglia News Service)Great grandmother Mrs Middleditch had heard a noise at her door in Grayson Avenue, Pakefield, Suffolk, when two masked males forced entry into her home and knocked her to the ground, Suffolk Police said.
Officers said they later recovered the victim’s orange coloured handbag with a silver link chain handle from Nelson Road, around 400 yards from her housing association home.
Mrs Middleditch’s niece, Mandy Leadbitter, said her aunt was not wealthy and would not have had much money, adding: “They probably just took basic things - her purse, which probably only had her pension money.”
Forensics have been at the scene (East Anglia News Service)White-suited forensic officers were yesterday hunting for potential clues in the victim’s bungalow while officers searched her front garden.
Teams of other officers were seen searching undergrowth and bushes alongside nearby roads.
A neighbour said that Mrs Middleditch 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.
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Neighbour Doris Kirsten said she 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.
Detectives have been combing the area around Joy's home in a bid to find evidence leading to the perpetrators (East Anglia News Service)“She would come out on her little walker, and would stay on at the club for something to eat.”
Phil Love, the co-ordinator of the town’s Over 60s club, said: “Her death has shocked many people here.
“She lived in a quiet and pleasant street. The fact that it happened in such a welcoming area makes it even more shocking.”
Det Chief Insp Mathew Connick, of the Joint Major Investigations Team, said: “This is a very serious incident following which a woman has sadly lost her life.
“The investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the offence continues, as do enquiries to establish the cause of death.
Joy's family have dubbed those responsible as 'monsters' (East Anglia News Service)“The family are being supported by specially trained police officers as part of the investigation.
“Local residents should expect to see an increased police presence over the next few days while enquiries take place, while additional officers will also be in the area to provide reassurance to the local community.
“Whilst searches and house to house enquiries take place, we are keen to speak to anyone who finds a purse, or who saw suspicious activity in the area late on Friday and into Saturday morning and anyone living in the area that has CCTV or doorbell cameras.”