Battered to death in her bungalow
Manhunt for cowardly killer who targeted widow, 85, ‘for money’
A WIDOW of 85 was beaten to death in a ‘despicable’ and ‘cowardly’ attack at her suburban bungalow.
The body of great-grandmother Rosina Coleman was discovered by a handyman at her home on Tuesday morning.
Friends and neighbours last night spoke of their shock at the death of the ‘incredible’ pensioner, who was a talented seamstress and a regular at Royal British Legion events.
They questioned why anyone would have wanted to target the popular and sociable widow, and speculated that she may have been killed for money. Police have so far made no arrests.
Mrs Coleman, who was known as Rose, had made her home in Romford, East London, for more than 40 years.
She has lived alone since her husband James died 11 years ago. She had two children and five grandchildren. One friend, who asked not to be named, said: ‘Rose was an incredible person. We were very good friends.
‘She used to be a seamstress and to this day she still made all her own clothes. She used to press my clothes as well.
‘My wife died a few years ago and her husband died 11 years ago. We helped each other through it.
‘I don’t know why anyone would do this to her – I can think of no reason. Was it for money?’
Jackie Harwood, 72, described Mrs Coleman as a ‘lovely’ woman who would enjoy dancing at the local Royal British Legion club every weekend.
She said: ‘She is such a kind and lovely person, I can’t understand how anyone would do this to her. I can’t fault her.
‘She was so jolly and happy – she was always up dancing every Saturday.
‘Horrendous offence’
She would make bread pudding for everyone. She was always smart and well dressed.
‘Her poor family. I feel terrible for them. They must be devastated – they were very close.’
Emergency services were called to Mrs Coleman’s home at 11.30am on Tuesday, but she was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
Detective Inspector Paul Considine, of Scotland Yard, said: ‘This is a despicable incident in which the victim, an elderly lady who lived alone, had been subjected to a cowardly assault that left her with serious injuries.’
He added: ‘She was discovered by a handyman working at the address. We suspect the incident to have occurred between 7.30am and 11.30am.’
The detective appealed for information from anyone who may have seen anything unusual that morning, adding: ‘Did you hear anyone in distress or notice someone in the area who may have looked out of place? Even a fragment of information is beneficial to our investigation. It is imperative that we find those responsible for this horrendous offence.’
Elderly neighbours said they feared for their safety following the horrific attack.
Janet Oats, 82, said: ‘It’s completely shocking – so bad. Everyone around here is so nice, they only want to help you.
‘I’m just glad the police are in the area because I’m afraid.’ Pensioner Freda Bridges, who lives on the same street, added: ‘We used to get on the bus together and go into London, she was still very active and used to clean her windows and everything. Her husband died a few years ago but she was still going out with friends and that sort of thing.’
An elderly couple, who have lived in the area for decades, said the suspected murder was a ‘big blow’ to the community. The husband, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘It is very sad. We thought we were far away from this type of violence but things are changing.
‘We’ve been here 42 years and nothing like this has happened. It’s terrible to think this has happened just around the corner.’
Police and forensics specialists trawled the area around Mrs Coleman’s home yesterday and the road remained closed.
A post-mortem examination is due to be held today.