Two teenage boys are set to answer bail at the end of month as investigations into the death of an 82-year-old woman continue.

Police are continuing to investigate the murder of Joy Middleditch, who died after a masked robbery at her home in Pakefield, Lowestoft, with inquiries "ongoing".

Lowestoft Journal: Joy Middleditch.Joy Middleditch. (Image: Suffolk Constabulary)

With witnesses and anyone with doorbell cameras of CCTV footage in the Pakefield area urged to get in touch amid the continuing murder probe, two teenagers arrested in connection with the death of Mrs Middleditch remain on police bail.

A murder investigation was launched more than four-and-a-half months ago after two masked robbers forced their way into Mrs Middleditch's home and knocked her to the ground, before stealing her handbag and fleeing.

The masked intruders left her injured and "helpless on the floor" of her bungalow on Grayson Avenue in Pakefield at some point overnight between Friday, March 24, and Saturday, March 25.

Mrs Middleditch died at the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston in the early hours of Monday, March 27.

Lowestoft Journal: Floral tributes left at the scene.Floral tributes left at the scene.

Senior officers described the attack as "callous and cowardly".

Two teenagers, aged 15 and 14, were arrested on March 31 on suspicion of murder and taken to Martlesham police station for questioning.

They were later released on police bail, and after twice having their bail period extended they are due to return to police on August 28.

'Sadness'

In March, Peter Byatt, leader of the East Suffolk Labour Group and local councillor for the ward of Kirkley and Pakefield on East Suffolk Council, had described it as a "vicious, cowardly attack on one of our elderly residents".

Lowestoft Journal: Peter Byatt.Peter Byatt. (Image: MAXINE CLARKE)

This week, as investigations continue, Mr Byatt reflected on recent events.

Cllr Byatt said: "There was a lot of interaction on social media at the time - particularly on the very popular Pakefield Community Group Facebook page – and over the following weeks, where offers were made by volunteers to fit safety-chains and mini-security cameras.

"This created a genuine cohesion in the community, and out of such a tragedy there has come a positive feeling in that neighbours were brought together, speak more and watch out for each other.

"Mention was made of the incident at times when we were speaking to residents on the doorstep, during the district council election campaign, but there was no sense of fear of being harmed, just a general sadness at Joy’s death and that such a crime could happen in a very low-crime and peaceful part of Lowestoft.

"Since then, to my knowledge as living in the immediate area, there is no sense of unease, but the fact that her bungalow is still empty just reinforces the sadness of what happened."

Witnesses or anyone with any information should contact the Major Investigation Team, using mipp.police.uk/operation/363721O10-PO1 or by calling 101 quoting the crime reference number 37/17537/23.