A GREAT-grandmother suffered a fatal stroke brought on by living in fear after she was targeted by thieves, her family said.

Daphne Whiteing, 82, had her purse and house keys stolen from her bag while she was shopping in Witney.

Thirteen days later she collapsed with a stroke and died five days later in hospital.

Police officers have now released CCTV images of two men, below, they want to speak to in connection with the theft.

Her son Graham Whiteing told the Oxford Mail last night: “I think undoubtedly the stress brought on by this crime had an impact on her having a stroke.”

Mrs Whiteing was a keen gardener who lived alone.

Her sudden death has shocked her family, including her 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mr Whiteing said: “She was in quite good health for someone of 82, there was nothing seriously wrong with her except that she had high blood pressure – she had never had a stroke before.

“She was quite badly shaken up by the crime.

“She noticed straight away that her purse was had gone and she had the good sense to go to the bank, but the guys had already taken money out of the machine.”

Her purse contained money, cards, PIN and house keys. Her bank card was used at a cashpoint outside the NatWest bank to withdraw £200 – the cash withdrawal limit on her card. She was very upset about it.”

Also in Mrs Whiteing’s purse taken by the thieves on August 8 was a set of house keys.

“That was playing on her mind quite a lot,” her son said. “She didn’t have the locks changed. Old people can be quite set in their ways.”

Mr Whiteing said his mother had been worried that the thieves would target her home in Milton-under-Wychwood while she was there.

“Her death was a big surprise,” Mr Whiteing said.

“She was with me when it happened.

“She had been round to my place and had a stroke as I was driving her home – it was very sudden.”

Pc Tracy Frazer, based at Witney police station, said: “This was a callous crime on a vulnerable person. Crimes like this can have a devastating impact on people’s lives.

“We are appealing for anyone who recognises the two men in the CCTV images to come forward. I would also appeal directly to the offenders.”

Call Pc Frazer or Sgt Steve Ilott on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.