Murder hunt launched after 85-year-old woman dies in fall as two muggers snatch her handbag

Police have launched a murder hunt following the death of an 85-year-old woman who fell to the ground and hit her head when two muggers sneaked up from behind and snatched her handbag. Officers were called to an alleyway in Greenford, west London on Monday afternoon where the woman was found hurt but still conscious after being attacked by the two men. The victim, who has not yet been named, was taken to hospital but her condition deteriorated overnight and she died in the early hours of the morning. Detectives are treating her death as murder and are appealing for witnesses.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'We understand that two male suspects, who are described as black in appearance, approached the victim from behind and stole her handbag. 'In the process the victim was assaulted and she fell to the pavement. The suspects, who were dressed in dark clothing, then ran off. Officers who are currently conducting a forensic search of the area have since recovered the handbag.'

Scene: The 85-year-old victim was approached from behind and fell to the ground hitting her head during the attack in this alleyway in West London

A post mortem examination is scheduled to take place on Wednesday at Uxbridge Mortuary and the woman's next of kin have been informed. The attack happened close to a primary school where parents collecting their children spoke of their shock. Mum-of-two Amy Sullivan, 31, heard the sad news after picking up her children Alfie, nine, and Charlie, 7, from Beetham Primary School this afternoon. She said: 'I’m in shock. The children were told in school today and I have only just found out when I can to pick them up. It’s frightening that it’s happened so close to two schools in broad daylight. My heart goes out to the woman’s family.'

 

Specialist police officers scour the area close to the scene of the attack. A murder investigation has now been launched. The attackers are described as two black men

The victim was taken to hospital but her condition deteriorated overnight and she died in the early hours of the morning

The 85-year-old was attacked in an alleyway close to a Primary school, (seen on the right hand side of this picture) where parents collecting their children told of their shock

Joanne Manturewiecz, 35, said she is now worried about her and her children’s safety after hearing about the attack. I’ve lived here for five years and it used to be such a nice area but now something like this happens,' she said. 'Parents are talking about putting together a petition calling for CCTV and police patrols to make sure our children are safe. I no longer feel safe in this area. I have an eight-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son and I will not let them walk around here on their own, even in the day.' Detective Chief Inspector Russell Taylor, of the Met’s Homicide Serious Crime Command, said: 'We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the sequence of events. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the victim or the suspects at the time.'

 Source: Daily Mail UK 

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