Break-in foiled at Cilla’s home on day of inquest
A PLOT to burgle the home of Cilla Black, the late entertainer, has been foiled, forcing her family to move her possessions to a secret location for safe keeping.
The disclosure came as it was revealed at an inquest yesterday that she had died from a “traumatic” head injury following a fall in Spain.
A professionally-cut circular hole was discovered in the perimeter fence of her home in Denham, Bucks, ahead of her funeral next week. Police are investigating.
Nick Fiveash, her former publicist, said: “A plot to burgle the Buckinghamshire home of the late Cilla Black has been foiled today.
“A professionally-cut circular hole was discovered in the perimeter fence of her Denham home ahead of her funeral on Thursday August 20.
“The police were immediately informed, 24-hour security has been increased on the property and all valuable assets including art, jewellery and her personal items have been removed and taken to a secured unit at an unknown location.”
Robert Willis, her eldest son, said yesterday: “I cannot believe someone would stoop so low at a time like this. It’s inconceivable. Thankfully it was discovered in time.”
Meanwhile, a brief hearing at Liverpool coroner’s court heard how a “daughter of Liverpool” came to lose her life.
The coroner, Andre Rebello, recorded a conclusion of accidental death.
Black’s three sons, Ben, Robert and Jack, sat in court for the 15-minute hearing.
The coroner confirmed details of the entertainer’s death at her villa in Spain, on August 1.
He referred to Black by her real name, Priscilla Maria Veronica Willis and said that the cause of death was a traumatic head injury caused by the fall.
Addressing her sons, he added: “She was your mum and her death is a private personal matter and we have all got one mum. It is right that you grieve and remember her.”
Black’s Denham home was targeted in 2003 by violent criminals who reportedly held a knife to the throat of her youngest son, Jack, before escaping with more than £1 million worth of jewellery, cash and gold.
Although he escaped with relatively minor injuries, he was said to have been extremely shaken.
Much of the jewellery had been given to Black by her late husband, Bobby Willis.
Mr Willis had been in his bedroom when the men broke into a downstairs window of the property, tricking him into thinking that his brother Ben had arrived.
Instead he was confronted by three men in balaclavas who struck him with a crowbar, handcuffed him and forced him to the ground.
They later threatened to kill him unless he revealed where Black’s jewellery and valuables were being stored.