£5,000 appeal after woman, 83, dies following 'horrendous' Dudley robbery
An 83-year-old woman died days after a terrifying robbery at her Dudley home.
A £5,000 reward is now being offered for information relating to the robbery, in which Betsy Malpass was forced to sit on a chair and watch four burglars steal her life savings.
WATCH: Malpass family appeal for information
The men tricked their way into the pensioner’s home in Kate’s Hill at about 3pm on February 8 by pretending they were from a water company.
During the burglary Mrs Malpass was forced to sit on a chair while her mobile phone was put under a running tap and her life savings were stolen.
WATCH: CCTV shows vehicles in the area at the time
It is believed the criminals – all described as white men – arrived and left in a black Audi S-Line car. One man is thought to be in his mid-twenties and around 5ft 10ins tall, with a chubby face. He was wearing a black hat and scarf during the break-in.
The following weekend after the incident Ms Malpass was taken to hospital, but despite the best efforts of hospital staff and medics she died three days later.
Police bosses say her last days were “dominated by the stress of the robbery”.
Gary Murray, a spokesman for charity Crimestoppers which has put up the £5,000 reward, said: “This burglary ended with terrible consequences after a wonderful older lady died. She had suffered a horrendous ordeal in her own home, where she had lived independently. Her last days were dominated by the stress of this robbery and the loss of all of her life savings.
“Footage captured by CCTV shows cars that were in the area at the time. These people may have witnessed something significant and we are keen for them to tell us what they know.”
Call 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org to report any information anonymously.
