A HEARTBROKEN family has described the unbearable strain they are enduring while the killer of a dearly loved great grandmother remains at large.

Margaret Briers, 82, died in hospital after being the victim of a chilling attack by an intruder who forced his way into her bungalow by posing as a police officer.

Speaking ahead of the third anniversary of the Carr Mill widow’s death, two of her daughters described how they believe the ordeal contributed to the death of her grandson John Davies, 34, last year from a massive heart attack.

One of her granddaughters also died from cancer at the age of 35 and a horrible three years has taken its toll on the family.

Daughter Jean Davies, 54, the mother of John, from Thatto Heath, told the Star: “The last thing my mum said to John while she lay in hospital was ‘get him John’. And he said ‘I will nan’.

“He was wound up by the fact that they have never caught who did this and he died the week before her second anniversary.

“So I believe whoever did this to my mum helped to kill my son, as did anyone who is covering for her killer. We believe someone out there knows who did this and is shielding this coward.”

Over the past three years a police investigation has seen eight people arrested in connection with Margaret’s death, which is classed as a murder inquiry.

There has also been a Crimewatch appeal and extensive rewards posted in an attempt to bring the attacker to justice.

But the investigation has never gained that crucial breakthrough and the case remains one of St Helens’ most high profile unsolved crimes of the past decade.

It was on the night of Sunday, March 30, 2008 that Margaret - known to friends as Peggy - was attacked in her bungalow at Caldbeck Grove, Carr Mill.

She was left lying in agony for 12 hours suffering from a broken hip until her daughter Pauline Windsor found her. The callous attacker had ripped an emergency alarm from around Margaret’s neck and disconnected her phone line. He fled with a cash tin containing just £16.A week later she died in Whiston Hospital.

At an inquest into her death in 2009 a Home Office pathologist confirmed Margaret died from heart failure brought on by blood loss due to her fractured hip. A verdict of unlawful killing was recorded.

Her five daughters have repeatedly appealed for information.

Jean, a taxi driver with A to B, added: “Whoever did this is scum. He had every chance to plug the phone back in but he left her on the floor like a dog.

“She was an 82-year-old woman. She was as defenceless as a child. If someone knows what happened and is frightened of him I would ask why? You should not be afraid of cowards.”

Meanwhile, recalling the days her mother spent in hospital after the attack, Pauline, 63, of Carr Mill, told the Star: “She was terrified and I think whoever did this to my mum had threatened her, because she did not scare easily.

“It is frustrating he is still out there and it is with you every day. But I believe this will get sorted. Someone has got to answer for what happened.

“One thing is for sure – this is not just going to go away.”

Contact police on 0151 777 1587 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.