Woman, 93, Dies From Broken Heart Syndrome After Being Burgled

A 93-year-old woman has died from Takotsubo Syndrome - also known as broken heart syndrome - just months after being burgled by three men.

Betty Munroe's home in Northampton was broken into via the back door on 11 June at around 11pm. The men told Betty they were police officers, before stealing her purse, bank cards, a gold chain from around her neck and all of her jewellery - including her late husband's watch.

Northamptonshire Police

Shortly after the incident, Bettys' health began to deteriorate rapidly and she was diagnosed with PTSD following repeated nightmares and trouble sleeping, as well as sickness and shaking.

Betty subsequently spent a lengthy period in hospital with heart problems and was eventually diagnosed with Takotsubo Syndrome, passing away on Wednesday (21 August).

According to the British Heart Foundation, the syndrome occurs when 'the left ventricle, one of the heart's chambers, gets larger and changes shape,' which in turn means 'this part of the heart doesn't pump blood to the rest of the body as well as it should'.

Her family have now issued a statement in which they said the burglars robbed Betty of 'her will to go on'.

The statement read: "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."

Northamptonshire Police

Detective Inspector Simon Barnes, of Northampton CID, has appealed to the public for help tracking down the burglars.

He 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."

Topics: Police, UK News, crime

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey