HEARTBROKEN parents have hit out at thieves who ransacked their dead daughter's home.

Eric and Valerie Stephenson, from Sunnybrow, near Crook, County Durham, were devastated when 31-year-old Joanne Draper lost her battle against ovarian cancer last month.

Yesterday, they arrived at the home she shared with husband Nigel, in Chilton, County Durham, to find that thieves had raided the house and taken everything - including £200 that had been set aside for Joanne's gravestone.

Mrs Draper's distraught husband had only left the Eden Terrace home the previous evening to spend time in London with his mother, to help him come to terms with the tragedy.

Mr Stephenson said: "They have taken everything. They have even been through her jewellery box.

"Somebody somewhere knows something about this. They could see when they took the television that there were sympathy cards there. What sort of people would do this? They have no conscience."

Among the items stolen were the television, video, computer equipment, along with CDs and tapes.

Mr Stephenson said his son-in-law was devastated by the burglary.

He said: "Try ringing someone to tell them their house has been burgled, especially after what has happened.

"They have violated everything in this house that they have worked hard for.

"We helped Joanne get this house exactly how she wanted it just before she died.''

Mr Stephenson urged anyone who might know anything about the burglary to contact Spennymoor Police.

He believes the burglary was probably carried out overnight and that the culprits spent a long time looking through things.

He said: "They must have been here in the dark because a table was overturned and everything on it was on the floor. Spennymoor police have been very good and are even putting in alarms for us."

Detective Sergeant Paul Rowe said: "We believe it was a heartless crime by people who have no respect for anyone's personal circumstances.''

Witnesses are asked to call police on (01388) 814411.