Emotional appeal from Molly Morgan's daughter (From Harrow Times)

Daughter of murdered pensioner 'devastated' after attack

11:21am Thursday 22nd January 2009 in News By Tristan Kirk

THE daughter of pensioner Molly Morgan has issued a passionate plea for help catching the “coward of a mugger” who killed her mother.

The 81-year-old was attacked in Streatfield Road by a robber who snatched her handbag and dragged her to the ground.

She died eight hours later in hospital, and police launched a murder hunt to find the killer.

Mrs Morgan's daughter, Hilary, 51, today sat alongside her husband Craig to appeal for witnesses to come forward.

She said: “I've lost my mum in a terrible way, part of me has been torn out.

“I still can't believe she was taken away from me by this coward of a mugger.

“I am full of pain, sadness and frustration, because can't understand how anyone could do this to my mum.”

One week to the day since Mrs Morgan was attacked and killed, police are still no closer to knowing who carried out the robbery, at around 7.40pm last Thursday.

Hilary said: “The person responsible is still out there and could do the same thing again to anyone's mum or gran.

“The most important thing to me is to find the person who killed my mum.”

Mrs Morgan, a trained architect who lived in the borough for more than 50 years, was on the way to Kenton Library to help with a history lecture when she was robbed.

Police believe Mrs Morgan was seen by numerous people as she lay slumped on the pavement, but it was ten minutes before anyone went to help her.

Detective Chief Inspector Jessica Wadsworth, who is leading the murder hunt, said: “It is frustrating for me that there were so many people who were around at the time but haven't come forward.

“Mrs Morgan was very distinctive, she wore ear muffs in faded leopard print, so she would have stood out a bit.

“Until I catch whoever did this, I won't rest.”

Tonight, officers are going to be out on the streets in Kenton where Mrs Morgan was attacked handing out leaflets, speaking to people, and boarding the 114 bus which passed at the time of the mugging.

Hilary made her appeal today to try to jog people's memory and find the distinctive leather handbag which was stolen from her mother.

She said: “My mum was so fit, active, and full of life. Even though she was 81-years-old, she had her life ahead of her.

“All I have left is my memories and I'm trying to come to terms with my loss. I never got the chance to say goodbye, it all happened so quickly.

“If you were there, please get in touch with the police because you might just have seen something that will help find this person.”

Anyone with information can contact DCI Wadsworth on 0208 358 0300, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.