Man Bailed In Oldham Widow Death Investigation

A man arrested in connection with the death of a widow, whose handbag containing her husband's ashes was stolen by muggers in Oldham, has been bailed.

Nellie Geraghty, 79, suffered serious head injuries as she tried to cling on to the bag during the attack on Thursday, November 24.

The former school cleaner and cotton mill worker died at the Royal Oldham Hospital on the following Friday.

Her handbag, which contained a blue velvet bag holding the ashes of her husband Frank, was missing when she was discovered in an alleyway.

The strap was still in Mrs Geraghty's hand. The ashes have not been recovered.

Greater Manchester Police arrested a 37-year-old man on suspicion of murder on Friday.

He was bailed pending further inquires until Tuesday, February 14, the force said.

Shaw-born Mrs Geraghty and her husband, a fellow cotton mill worker who went on to work for the Oldham co-operative bus company, had four children.

Two teenage boys, aged 14 and 17, were arrested in connection with the death of Mrs Geraghty last month and bailed until January 9.