Have you heard this story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2066464/Nellie-Geraghty-79-dies-struggle-muggers-purse-husbands-ashes.html

Killed for her handbag: Widow, 79, dies after struggle with muggers who snatched purse containing husband's ashes
Nellie Geraghty died this morning

Devastated family appeal for missing ashes to be returned
Two teenagers, 14 and 17, arrested on suspicion of robbery
By Lucy Buckland

Last updated at 5:35 PM on 26th November 2011

Share

A widow has died after her handbag containing her husband's ashes was snatched.
Nellie Geraghty, 79, was left in a critical condition after desperately trying to hold on to the bag and stop the thieves taking the remains of her husband, who died 17 years ago.
She was found collapsed and unconscious near her home in Shaw, Oldham, Greater Manchester, with her hand still clasping the broken handle of the bag. The rest of the bag, believed to be red, was missing.
Nellie Geraghty had been carrying the ashes of her husband Frank (pictured) in her handbag when she was robbed near her home on Thursday
Tragic: Nellie Geraghty, 79, died in hospital after being found collapsed and unconscious following the robbery earlier this week

Police announced this morning that Mrs Geraghty had died in hospital following the robbery on Thursday afternoon.

Her sister Maureen, 69, had been keeping a vigil at Mrs Geraghty's bedside at Royal Oldham Hospital.
She told police recovering the ashes was the most important thing for the family.
Vicious: The widow was attacked near Laurel House (pictured) in the Oldham area of Manchester
As well as the ashes, which were in a blue velvet bag inside a small box, the handbag contained £200 in cash.
Officers were carrying out a fingertip search of the area on Friday to try and recover the bag.

They were also handing out panic alarms to other people in the area, which has a number of bungalows for the elderly.
Supt Catherine Hankinson said: 'When she has been found she has had the strap of her handbag still in her hand.
More...Tale of two burglaries: Days after a letter from one young thief revealed contempt for his victim, a mother tells of the devastating impact of a break-in on her family's life
'Speeding laws may be changed'
'She's the lowest of the low': War veterans call for court to make an example of thief who stole WWI plaque for £15

'It's been snapped off and we are assuming the rest of the bag has been taken although it has not been recovered yet.
'In it was £200 in cash and, significantly, her husband's ashes. He has been dead for the last 17 years and she carries them everywhere which probably explains why she has put up such a struggle.'


Critical: The 79-year-old died at midnight this morning at Royal Oldham Hospital

She said Mrs Geraghty appeared to have been attacked on her way to a regular lunch date at a nearby care centre.

Two passers-by found her and called an ambulance.

'I would appeal to anyone in the criminal fraternity to think about what has happened given that there are such treasured possessions in that bag and to give us information about who has done it.

'She was known for being well turned out and sprightly on her feet. That may paint a picture of someone who is not going to give up lightly.'
Supt Catherine Hankinson

'I would appeal to anyone who may have found the bag to understand the emotional significance of what was inside it and to contact us if they have any information. This is an absolutely dreadful thing that has happened.
'My officers have spoken to this lady's sister and she is as shocked as anybody else would be. We have police officers with her.'

She said Mrs Geraghty was known in the area for being 'well turned out and sprightly on her feet'.

She added: 'That may paint a picture of someone who is not going to give up lightly.'
Two boys, aged 14 and 17, have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and are being questioned by police.