Police were called by North Yorkshire Ambulance Service at 8:38am on Tuesday 23 March, after they were called to the post office by her husband, Robin Garbutt.
She was found upstairs in the premises by her husband and was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
A post mortem examination. which was carried out yesterday evening, has revealed that she died from severe head injuries, which were sustained during a robbery at the post office.
Police said her husband had opened his premises at 4.30am after getting up. He worked downstairs in the shop serving customers prior to the post office opening at 8.30am.
Just after he opened the post office counter, he was disturbed by a man who came from the living premises. The man is described as 5′ 11″/6′, skinny build; he was wearing a tight-fitting black mask described as a balaclava, a dark blue long sleeved t-shirt and dark blue/black coloured jeans, which were low on the waist with large pockets at the back. He was carrying a firearm at his right hand side.
The man threatened Robin Garbutt, saying “we’ve got your wife”. The male then made off with a significant amount of money from the safe, which he had placed in a black holdall with two loop handles on top. It was made of shiny plastic with an open zip and might have had a black towel inside.
Police are appealing for anyone who was in Melsonby between the hours of 4am and 9am and saw anything suspicious to contact them.
It is believed that the suspect or suspects left the premises between 8.30am and the call to the Ambulance Service.
Police said: “This would have been a fairly busy time in the village with people travelling to work or school. We are appealing for anyone who may have seen a suspicious or an unknown vehicle in the village or saw one leave the village at that time, or if you saw a man dressed in dark clothing and wearing a balaclava, to come forward.
“It is possible that he may have removed the mask after leaving the post office. If anyone finds a discarded mask or clothing fitting that worn by the suspect, please contact North Yorkshire Police immediately.”
Detective Superintendent Lewis Raw, who is heading the investigation, said: “This is a shocking crime which has left Mr Garbutt distraught and the residents of Melsonby very shocked and saddened.
“Police are determined to bring Mrs Garbutt’s killer to justice, however, we need the assistance of members of the public who were in the area at the time to come forward.”
Please help us bring her killer to justice by calling the dedicated incident room at North Yorkshire Police on 01904 669576. Or you can give information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Source: North Yorkshire Police
