Nellie Geraghty: Teenage boys ruled out of murder inquiry
Two teenagers arrested on suspicion of murdering a woman who died after she was mugged for her handbag have been ruled out of the investigation.
Nellie Geraghty, 79, held the ashes of her late husband in the bag which was stolen in Shaw, Oldham, on 24 November.
Two boys, aged 14 and 17, were arrested and released on bail. Greater Manchester Police said there would be no further action against them.
A 37-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder remains on police bail.
Mrs Geraghty was found in the alleyway leading from Elizabeth Grove to Kershaw Street in Shaw just before midday, after the attack.
She was taken to Royal Oldham Hospital with serious head injuries but she died the following day.
Her family said she had carried the ashes of her late husband Frank everywhere with her in a blue velvet drawstring bag.
She had wished to be cremated with them so their ashes could be scattered together on Mr Geraghty's allotment.
The ashes have still not been found, despite a member of the public offering a £5,000 reward for anyone who provides information that leads to their recovery, or information that leads to the successful conviction of the offender.
Det Insp Aaron Duggan said: "After consultation with the CPS, both the juveniles arrested as part of this investigation have now been eliminated from our inquiries and their bail has been cancelled.
"I want to stress that both young men fully assisted with our investigation, were very co-operative and we are satisfied they had no involvement in Nellie's death.
"One man does remain on police bail and our investigation to find out who did this to Nellie will not stop until the person responsible is brought to justice. Nellie's family deserve the truth about what happened that day, and we will not stop until we can give them those answers.
"I would continue to appeal to anyone who has information about Nellie's death to come forward."