BBC radio presenter Edith Bowman is distraught after a suitcase containing deeply personal items, including a ring holding her grandfather’s ashes, was stolen during a train trip in Gloucestershire.
The 52-year-old broadcaster shared her plea on Instagram, revealing the suitcase was taken while she was travelling from London Paddington to the Cotswolds village of Kemble. In a video message, she addressed the thief: “I just got on a train at London Paddington – 9.32am to Cheltenham and got off at Kemble, and some f***** has stolen my case. If you are that person, please return it to the nearest station. I would really appreciate that.”
Edith expressed her shock and sadness, noting the presence of CCTV and that British Transport Police have been informed to help recover her belongings.
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Following the theft, Edith made a further emotional appeal when she realized the significance of the suitcase’s contents. Fighting back tears, she explained, “Inside my bag is a jewellery box containing very personal items, including a pinkie ring with my grandad’s ashes.”
She urged anyone who saw someone disembarking with her distinctive dark green suitcase with brown straps at Didcot Parkway, Reading, or Swindon stations to get in touch. She also shared a photo of the missing suitcase on her Instagram story, specifying the train times and stations where it might have been taken.
Edith Bowman worked at BBC Radio 1 from 2003 to 2014 before moving on to other projects. She currently hosts the podcast “Soundtracking,” where she interviews guests about music and film.