Grieving family hunt for jewellery box

26 July 2010

THE FAMILY of a woman found dead in a Hornchurch street are calling for help to trace her missing jewellery box and its contents, which is up to 100 years old.

Doreen Theobald, known as Dol, aged 79, was found in Elmhurst Drive on Monday, May 17 around 6.30am.

She moved to the area six years ago after the death of her husband Sam so she would be closer to her three children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Her family has realised her jewellery box is missing and are appealing to residents and store owners who may have seen or been offered it to come forward.

Doreen was at a wedding on May 15 and had worn an item from the box.

It is a cream, imitation leather musical jewellery box which had gold filigree around the lid and a hinged shelf inside.

All the jewellery inside the box was in its original ring and bracelet boxes and of great sentimental value to the family.

Some of the items in the box date back two generations and over 100 years.

One particularly sentimental item was a piece of amber mounted in gold on a gold chain with an insect embedded on it. The pendant is irregular in shape and about the size of a 20p.

There was also a gold trilogy ring with three diamonds and men and women's watches inside.

Call Romford Police on 0300 123 1212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.