Two teenagers detained in Suffolk suspected of killing a pensioner | UK News

Two teenagers suspected of killing an elderly woman who died after her home was burglarized have been arrested.

The 14- and 15-year-olds, from the Lowestoft area, were being held after the death of Joy Middleditch, 82, who lived in Pakefield, Suffolk Police said.

Middleditch was found lying on the floor of her bungalow at the end of the Grayson Avenue terrace by concerned family members on Saturday, and police were called just after 1.50pm.

Her purse had been taken and found not far from there, in Nelson Road.

Middleditch told relatives and then police officers that she heard a noise at the door before two masked men forced their way in and threw her to the ground.

Police said they believed she was assaulted between the evening of Friday March 24 and the early hours of Saturday March 25.

She was found conscious and breathing but was in serious condition and was taken to James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk. She died there in the early hours of Monday.

A Suffolk Police spokesman said: ‘Officers have pursued numerous lines of inquiry and today, Friday March 31, arrested two men in connection with the incident.

“A 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy, both from the Lowestoft area, were arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Center for questioning.”

A Home Office autopsy was carried out on Monday, but the cause of death has not yet been confirmed, pending further investigation, the force said.

Middleditch’s family said in an earlier statement released by police: “Joy was a strong, determined character who loved life and her dog. He was a loving person who was unfortunately taken from us too soon.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team by emailing MITincident.room@suffolk.police.uk or calling 101 quoting reference 37/17537/23 .

People can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.