BURGLARS who robbed an elderly woman’s home minutes before she collapsed and died will be charged with manslaughter if they are found, an inquest has heard.

Maureen Whale died of stress linked to heart and lung problems after she collapsed while speaking to emergency services on the phone on December 4, 2018.

The thieves stole jewellery from the 77-year-old, including a “Meghan Markle-style wedding ring”.

Ms Whale was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after the burglary but died the following day.

Police said the ring was similar to the one worn by the Duchess of Sussex on her wedding day in 2018.

The Argus: Burglars stole ‘Meghan Markle style ring’ before victim collapsed and died Burglars stole ‘Meghan Markle style ring’ before victim collapsed and died

They said the “unique” piece of jewellery was part of the stolen haul which included Maureen’s handbag, $900, £30 in Turkish lira, a Tiffany necklace and a bracelet.

The stolen handbag was later found in a hedge near her home in Bells Hill, Barnet.

Despite the case being featured on BBC's Crimewatch and the Metropolitan Police offering a £20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, no suspects have been charged.

A recording of Ms Whale’s pleas for help to an emergency call handler came just seconds after the four-minute burglary, when two men in baseball caps, beanies and hoods stormed into her side entrance, while another man was a designated look-out outside.

On the 999 call, Ms Whale says: "I’ve just been burgled. They walked off with my handbag. It happened two minutes ago. I’m shaking, I’m sorry."

Emergency services rushed to the house to find Ms Whale sitting on her sofa dazed and unable to breathe. She was taken to Barnet Hospital and died at 6.06am the following day, an inquest at North London Coroners' Court heard.

The Argus: A handbag was also taken in the robbery A handbag was also taken in the robbery

Forensic pathologist Dr Ashley Fegan-Earl found there were no third-party injuries in the medical examination but discovered significant coronary heart disease linked to Ms Whale being a heavy smoker.

While she had the potential to die at any time, Dr Fegan-Earl said there was a link between her death and the burglary.

He told the court: "She was placed under significant stress that could have caused adverse effects on her heart or lungs.

"In my opinion, this was a causal death between the burglary and her demise."

The medical examiner found she died of a cardiac respiratory collapse alongside coronary heart disease brought on by stress.

The Argus: Three suspects are still wanted by police Three suspects are still wanted by police

Detective sergeant Russell Duke said there would be a request to charge with burglary and a request to charge with manslaughter if the suspects are found.

Ms Whale worked as a nurse, an air hostess, medical secretary, and librarian and lived in the cottage where she died her entire life.