A MEMBER of staff at Grimsby's hospital is being investigated after allegedly stealing an iPod belonging to a dead woman.
The employee – who is believed to have been suspended – is said to have taken the device after the 57-year-old Grimsby woman passed away on Christmas Eve.
Both Humberside Police and bosses at the Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital have confirmed they are carrying out investigations into the incident.
The deceased woman's 37-year-old daughter, who lives in Cleethorpes, says the family is "sickened and disgusted" by what has happened. She added: "Mum was in hospital for five days before she died and this member of staff must have been caring for her.
"I just don't understand why anybody would take something belonging to a dead person. It's not the value of the iPod that's important, it's the breach of trust that's taken place.
"We were traumatised enough when mum passed away, but to then find out the iPod was missing was just awful.
"She watched films on it and used it to look at photos and listen to music when she was ill. I know it was there on the day she died because I saw it, but then when I went back to collect her belongings it had gone.
"The hospital eventually narrowed it down to a member of staff and called them in to be questioned. When they did, the person said we couldn't have it back as they had thrown it in a river."
The iPod contained irreplaceable family photographs. She added: "The fact this happened over Christmas just makes it worse because it's supposed to be the season of goodwill.
"The whole thing is just beyond belief. We're all finding it hard to comprehend.
"We've made a formal complaint to the hospital and called the police."
Neil Pease, director of organisational development and workforce for the hospital, said: "We are co-operating with the police and will be carrying out our own internal investigation into this matter."
A spokeswoman for Humberside Police added: "We are currently investigating a theft which is believed to have occurred at Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital, Grimsby, between 3pm on December 24 and noon on December 26.
"Police are working with staff at the hospital to establish the circumstances of the incident. At this time no arrests have been made."
