Cancer patient left 'wanting to die' after diamond ring from late husband reported as stolen in Queen Alexandra Hospital

Locks Heath resident Beryl Owen, who has early onset dementia and was diagnosed with breast cancer last month, began to suffer from flu symptoms and was admitted to the hospital in Cosham last Thursday.

Beryl went into hospital wearing a diamond ring that had been given to her as a gift by her late husband, Maurice, but on Friday one of her daughters visited and discovered the ring was missing – while the two rings always worn above it remained in place.

As the 88-year-old was in an isolated room to avoid patients with Covid-19, her family fear that someone stole the ring from the cancer patient’s hand without being seen.

Chrissie Owen, Beryl’s daughter who spoke on behalf of the family, said: ‘She never takes that ring off.

‘She wouldn’t even let me take it off before she was admitted to hospital.

‘She said she couldn’t even take (her rings) off and showed me.

‘She can’t remember taking it off or anyone taking it.’

Doctors have warned that Beryl’s ill health – with her suffering from pancreatitis and gall stones, as well as her cancer diagnosis – means she could only have a matter of months left to live – and the grandmother of 14 feels like she ‘wants to die’ after suffering the heartbreaking loss, according to Chrissie.

She said: ‘Dad had that ring made for her – it’s a bespoke piece of jewellery.

‘She’s just twiddling her finger, saying, ‘you know my ring’s gone missing’, all the time.

‘My mum is completely distraught – it’s really knocked her down.

‘She said the other day, ‘I just want to die’.’

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Chrissie praised the frontline medical staff caring for her mother, and the various hospital staff members who have aided the hunt for the ring.

The family have undertaken a desperate search within the hospital, and alerted two ward matrons, the head of security, and the Patients Advice and Liaison Service about the suspected theft, as well as calling the police.

A spokesperson for Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, said: ‘We work hard to keep patients’ valuables safe at all times.

‘While we cannot comment on this case as a police investigation is ongoing, our teams adhere to trust policy relating to any items reported as missing.’

The police are appealing for information, with the incident filed until ‘further line of enquiry become available’, according to a spokeswoman from Hampshire Constabulary.

She said: ‘We were called at 6pm on Friday, November 13 to a report that a diamond ring had been taken from Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham.

‘Officers have carried out enquiries, but the matter has been filed pending any further lines of enquiry becoming available.’

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting reference number 44200440683.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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