Widow, 93, dies 'of a broken heart' after three thugs ransacked her home to steal her purse, her late husband's watch and even the gold chain from around her neck

  • Pensioner Betty Munroe, 93, had lived in her home in Northampton for 56 years
  • But in June three men broke into the house and stole all of the widow's valuables
  • She later developed PTSD, suffered nightmares and couldn't stop shaking
  • Following her death this week, her grieving family branded the robbers 'callous'

A 93-year-old woman who had her house burgled by three men posing as police officers has died in hospital 'from a broken heart'.

Betty Munroe suffered repeated nightmares and couldn't stop shaking after she was callously targeted at her home in Northampton, at around 11pm on June 11.

The trio of thugs forced entry to her home with garden shears and once inside they told the pensioner they were police.

They then ransacking the premises in front of her and stole all her jewellery, including her late husband's watch, her purse, bank cards and a gold chain from around her neck.

Widow, 93, was robbed in her own home by three cowardly men. They made off with her late husband's watch and even took the chain from around her neck. She has since died

Widow, 93, was robbed in her own home by three cowardly men. They made off with her late husband's watch and even took the chain from around her neck. She has since died

Betty's health deteriorated quickly after the ordeal and she was diagnosed with PTSD following repeated nightmares, trouble sleeping, being sick and being unable to stop shaking.

Following a lengthy stay in hospital with heart trouble, she was eventually diagnosed with Takotsubo Syndrome, also known as broken heart syndrome, and passed away this week.

In a heartbreaking statement released by Northamptonshire Police, Betty's family said: 'The distressing circumstances of our lovely mum's death have caused us so much sorrow.

'Before the burglary she was happy and living independently in her home of 56 years.

'The violent actions of these callous individuals robbed her not only of precious possessions, but of her sense of security and peace and the will to go on.

'All the generations of our family who owe her so much are bereft at her death.'

Her family said she had independently in her home of 56 years before 'her sense of security and peace' were taken in the robbery
Her family said she had independently in her home of 56 years before 'her sense of security and peace' were taken in the robbery

Her family said she had independently in her home of 56 years before 'her sense of security and peace' were taken in the robbery

Detective Inspector Simon Barnes, of Northampton CID, said: 'This is one of the saddest cases I have come across during my career and a stark reminder of how deeply a burglary can affect a victim.

'Betty was in good health before this incident but she deteriorated very quickly after it and sadly died in her care home this week, surrounded by her family.

'I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who has any information about the burglary in June to please contact us, no matter how insignificant you think your information might be.

'If you want to do it anonymously, instead of calling us on 101, you can speak to Crimestoppers on 0800 55511 or use their online reporting form at the crimestoppers website.'

The sickening incident took place on this street in Northampton in June this year

The sickening incident took place on this street in Northampton in June this year

What is 'broken heart syndrome'? 

Broken heart syndrome, known medically as stress-induced cardiomyopathy or takotsubo syndrome, happens when the heart fails because of extreme stress.

It is usually triggered by an emotional event such as the death of a loved one.

The condition affects around 3,000 people a year in the UK, and is more common among women than men.

It causes part of the heart to become temporarily enlarged, preventing the organ from pumping blood properly. It can cause it to stop altogether.

Although broken heart syndrome is not triggered by disease – it isn't linked to blocked arteries or high blood pressure – it is believed to be able to cause long-lasting damage by weakening the heart and affecting its pumping motion.

Spokesperson for Cardiomyopathy UK, Dr Daniel Hammersley, said: 'Patients who develop this condition generally experience symptoms of chest pain or breathlessness.

'Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases the heart muscle function recovers within a few weeks. It is a rare condition overall. Most frequently it affects people in their 50s or 60s, although it has been seen in other age groups.'

Sources: Cardiomyopathy UK and the American Heart Association

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