Family's Plea After Charlene's Tragic Death

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Handbag and purse are still missing

The family of Charlene Pickering, who died after being hit by a train at Wimbledon station, fear her handbag and purse could have been stolen.

They have made an appeal for information about the whereabouts of the items, which have not been seen since Charlene (left), aged 23, died on January 8.

It is believed Charlene was carrying the teal, leather effect River Island handbag, containing a small, brown Accessorize purse when the incident took place. See right for similar items.

However, despite three police searches of the tracks and platforms at the station and multiple enquiries with railway lost property offices, they have not yet been found. The loss has also been reported to local Metropolitan Police officers in Wimbledon.

In a joint-statement, Pamela and Guy Pollington, Charlene's mother and stepfather, said: "Following the tragic loss of our daughter on January 8, we are appealing to anyone who may know the whereabouts of her bag and purse, which went missing from the scene.

"In them there would have been some personal belongings which would be of some comfort to us as a family and their return may help us as we try and come to terms with this tragedy."

Charlene, from Walton-on-Thames and the mother of four-year-old Toby, is believed to have died after going on the train tracks to retrieve her mobile phone.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers are currently preparing a file for the coroner following Charlene’s death, which is being treated as non-suspicious.

The inquest was opened at Westminster Coroner’s Court on Monday (January 16) and was adjourned to Monday April 16.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the bag and purse can contact BTP on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 372 of 8/1/12.

January 17, 2012