Doris Doubleday with her husband Eric who has been left heartbroken by the theft
(Picture: Facebook)A grieving widower has been left heartbroken after burglars broke into his home and stole a wooden box containing his wife’s ashes.
Eric Doubleday, 93, was married to his wife Doris for over 70 years before her death in February just this year.
Burglars managed to break into Eric’s home in London Road, Abridge, while he was asleep at about 5am on April 11, police said.
They stole a number of items including a mahogany wooden box containing his 91-year-old wife Doris’ ashes, with a plaque on the lid that reads ‘Doris Marie Doubleday 1930-2021’.
The couple’s granddaughter, Ella Terry, said:“We only lost my nan in February this year so to now have had her ashes stolen is even more heart-breaking. The other items stolen were just material things.
“Obviously we would like to get everything back but if we could choose only one, it would be nan’s ashes.
“This has broken my grandad’s heart, along with all of us as a family.
“Not only are we still grieving her loss, we now have been left without her ashes.”
PC Thomas Tod said: “To do this to a family who are already grieving is devastating and cruel.
“We are progressing our enquiries and will do everything we can to bring people to justice.
“I urge anyone who saw or heard anything in the area at the time, or has any information, to please contact us.”
Please contact Loughton CID quoting reference 42/65250/21.
