Traumatised pensioner Betsy Malpass dies days after gang stole her life savings - now there's a £5k reward to find them
Betsy Malpass was forced to sit on a chair as four men raided her Kates Hill home
Kelly Ashmore
A traumatised pensioner died days after her life savings were taken during a terrifying burglary at her Dudley home.
Helpless Betsy Malpass was forced to sit on a chair and watch as four men raided her property in Corporation Road, Kates Hill, on Friday, February 8.
The horrifying ordeal began after the gang tricked their way in by telling the 83-year-old they were from a water company.
The heartless thugs put her mobile phone under a running tap as they swiped her entire life savings and fled in a black Audi S-Line.
Betsy Malpass (Image: Crimestoppers)
The following weekend Betsy was taken to hospital, but despite the best efforts of hospital staff and medics, she died three days later.
A post-mortem found there was no link between the burglary and her death, but her final days were dominated by trauma.
More than two months on, there have been no arrests, despite a major police investigation.
Now, in a bid to find those responsible Crimestoppers is offering a £5,000 reward for anyone who supplies information that leads to a conviction.
West Midlands Police has also released CCTV footage - which can be viewed below - featuring cars that were in the area at the time, in the hope people who passed the scene come forward with vital information.
Gary Murray, a spokesman for the charity, said: "This burglary ended with terrible consequences after a wonderful older lady died.
"She had suffered a horrendous ordeal in her own home, where she had lived independently. Her last days were dominated by the stress of this robbery and the loss of all of her life savings.
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"Footage captured by CCTV shows cars that were in the area at the time. These people may have witnessed something significant and we are keen that they come forward and tell us what they know."
Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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