A man walked past an 81-year-old pensioner who asked him for help as she lay injured on the pavement after she was mugged, police have revealed.
Police want to trace the man as part of their probe into the murder of Molly Morgan, who was attacked in Harrow, north-west London, on Thursday evening.
Detectives believe she was left on the pavement for about 10 minutes before somebody came to her aid.
She died in hospital hours later from a subdural haematoma.
"Whilst at hospital, Mrs Morgan told police that a man walked right past her and didn't stop, even when she asked for help," said Det Ch Insp Jessica Wadsworth.
She added: "It is our belief that this man, and other people in the area who didn't assist the victim, may tragically not have realised that Mrs Morgan had been attacked and was in considerable pain.
"We know from some witnesses that they had assumed she was merely a drunk on the street."
Mrs Morgan was targeted on her way to an educational association meeting at about 2000 GMT.
She fell when the suspect grabbed her handbag, which contained an umbrella and extension lead but no money, and died in hospital eight hours later.
She also suffered a broken left arm and multiple fractures to the left side of her face, consistent with a fall.
Mrs Morgan's daughter, Hilary, who is an artist, has provided police with a painting of her mother's missing handbag.
She said: "If this painting helps to catch her killer, it's the most important painting I've ever done."
She added: "My mum was so active and full of life. I still can't believe she has been taken away from me."
No-one has been arrested.
THE BBC