DEAD MUM’S LETTERS FROM THE HEART STOLEN:
Heartless crooks steal dead mum’s final letters, heirlooms
A WOMAN’s final words to her family were lost when heartless thieves ransacked a Newtown home last week.
The mother, who died after a five-year battle with cancer, had left an envelope of letters and heirlooms to be passed on to her young son and daughter.
Her brother, Evan, who withheld his surname, said the priceless items were lost when offenders broken into the family’s Sherbourne Tce house last week.
The family is appealing for anyone who has the letters or jewellery — including sentimental engagement and wedding rings — to come forward. Evan said his 41-year-old sister’s death in September last year had been extremely difficult for the family to cope with.
He said the theft early last week had left his sister’s husband and two young children “gutted”.
“It’s rocked my parents pretty hard, we tried to move on … this has brought up some memories for them. “It’s been quite difficult.” Geelong detectives say offenders broke through the kitchen window of the house on June 11 between 10.15am and 1.20pm.
Detective Senior Constable Nikki Kowalski said the intruders ransacked the house and then stole jewellery, including engagement and wedding rings.
The unopened personal letters were also gone.
Pearl necklaces, Pandora necklaces and bracelets, gold chains, bracelets, pearls and opals were also stolen.
The offenders also made off with other items including a Nikon camera, camera lenses and bag, Olympus camera, an iPad, an e-bookreader in a purple case and hearing aids.
It’s believed the offenders put the items into a pink shopping cart that was later found dumped on a Corio street.
Sen-Constable Kowalski said police had checked CCTV footage but had been unable to identify any suspects.
“I’m really keen to see the owner reunited with his belongings that mean so much to him, especially the personal letters which are irreplaceable,” she said.
“We deal with a lot of high volume crime and there’s always those jobs that pull on your heartstrings.
“When you’ve got a beautiful family that have had things like this stolen, it’s despicable behaviour to not return them.”
Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000