Childhood friend of pensioner Maureen Whale says her death after burglary at her flat was 'horrendous'

The oldest friend of a pensioner who died after burglars targeted her flat has described her death as “horrendous”.

Maureen Whale, 77, collapsed while on the phone to police after she called 999, and had to be given CPR by officers called to the break-in at.

The pensioner, who lived alone, was taken to hospital in a critical condition following the break-in at around 6pm on Tuesday in Barnet, north-east London, but died on Wednesday morning.

Police think “opportunist thieves” targeted her address after breaking into two more properties in the same road, as well as another nearby.

Jewellery and foreign currency were stolen during the linked break-ins, police said.

A childhood friend of Maureen, who had known her “her whole life”, said: “What happened to her is horrendous and to think of Maureen alone all at home when it happened is devastating.”

The 78-year-old, who did not want to be named, described her friend as a brave woman who travelled the world, saying she “lived out her dream” as an air hostess.

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The former office clerk’ said their mothers used to bump into each other with their pushchairs on the road where Maureen and their older brothers were also friends and in the same school year.

“I practically knew Maureen from birth,” she said. “I used to walk her to Underhill primary school – she was a year younger than me.”

“Her parents were very proud of her and they adored her and her brother Roy but they were overprotective of Maureen and her dad was very strict.

“Our mums became friends during the war and they used to swap ration cards.

“We would play at the park or at each other’s houses all the time while our mothers met up for tea and later we used to go to Odeon picture house together for Saturday’s morning screening.

“I remember Maureen was always late for school and we’d have to sit outside morning assembly so I said to her ‘you mustn’t be late or I can’t call for you anymore.’”

She added: “She was a wonderful lady – we lost contact over the years – but I have fond memories of us together.”

Police are investigating Miss Whale’s death, along with the burglaries.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, of the Metropolitan Police’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “We believe the same group of opportunist thieves targeted these addresses … before making their way into Miss Whale’s home.”

He urged any pawnbrokes or ‘handlers’ of stolen goods to “consider the awful circumstances of what has happened to a wonderful elderly lady and do the right thing and come forward with any information”.

He also asked anyone who worked in a bureau de change and had seen someone trying to change £30 worth of Turkish lira and £100 of euros to get in touch.

The force has already released images of three suspects, all described as white men in their 20s.

One was wearing a black zip-up gilet, a white or light-coloured long-sleeved top underneath and a dark coloured woolly or beanie hat.

The second wore a hooded long-sleeved top with two dark patches on the chest and shoulder, and the top of the back, along with dark trousers and light-coloured trainers.

The third, who acted as a look-out, wore a dark long-sleeved hooded top or coat, with the hood up, and may also have had a baseball cap underneath. He also wore light-coloured jogging style bottoms and dark trainers.

Mr McHugh also urged two boys, aged around 12 and 15, who spoke to the first officers on the scene to get in touch.

“They are potentially really important witnesses and I would urge them to get in touch,” he said.