Husband's heartbreak after rings stolen from fingers of his dead wife

An engagement ring and a wedding ring worth a combined £13,500 which were taken from the finger of a woman who had died in hospital
An engagement ring and a wedding ring worth a combined £13,500 which were taken from the finger of a woman who had died in hospital Credit: Essex Police

A grieving husband has been left "distressed" after an engagement ring and a wedding ring, worth a combined £13,500, were stolen from his dead wife's hand in hospital.

Essex Police said that the woman was admitted to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow after an accidental fall at her home on March 6. She died three days later with her husband by her side, the force said.

When he returned to the ward to collect her personal items he noticed that the rings were missing.

Police said that the rings were on the woman's hand when she was admitted to hospital and they were never removed during any treatment.

Pc Daniel Burns, of Harlow local policing team, said:

"We are looking to speak to anyone who might have any information on the whereabouts of these rings or if anyone has attempted to sell them on."

Sharon McNally, director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals at the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, said:

Anyone with information on the rings is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.