Widow appeals for keepsakes back: ‘They mean everything to me’
A mother who lost her husband just weeks ago has been dealt a harsh blow after having precious keepsakes he gave her stolen from her home while holidaying.
Tasmania
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BURGLARS have dealt grieving Kelly McDermott another low blow ransacking her Glenorchy home and stealing the keepsakes her husband Chris gave her before he died.
Ms McDermott lost her husband to cancer just 10 weeks ago. He was only 36.
“We only had 133 days with him after his diagnosis,” Ms McDermott said.
The couple wed during that time. This week she and her three-year-old son Noah went to St Helen’s for some time out. When she returned home she discovered her house had been burgled.
“I assume whoever did this noticed that we were going away and decided to strike our house,” she said.
Along with the cash and appliances taken were treasured items including a Pandora bracelet given to her by her husband.
The bracelet had a flat charm created with Noah’s baby finger print.
It also had a bride and groom charm, a teal coloured bead and green heart bead.
The thieves also took Ms McDermott’s grandmother’s antique watch and some gold rings.
“This really was kicking someone when they are already down,” Kelly said.
“I have lost every gift that Chris ever gave me except the engagement ring I was wearing. I would especially love the bangle back as it has the most sentimental value.”
Ms McDermott has made a report to police and they are investigating but right now she is hoping to appeal to the burglar or burglar’s better nature.
“The bracelet and other keepsakes stolen will not mean anything to the people who took them but they mean everything to me,” she said.
“Please just drop them off in the letterbox.”
Police confirmed they are investigating the robbery.
Chris died peacefully in his sleep on October 23.
“He was very courageous and fought his cancer battle with such bravery until the very end. Our hearts are so broken,” Ms McDermott said.
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