It has been just over a week since Susan Duffy, 71, was found dead at her Rockhampton home on Sunday, August 21.

A 35-year-old man has been charged with her murder.

For days, the grandmother’s home was off limits to her loved ones as police forensic officers combed the property for evidence.

On Wednesday, the home had been professionally cleaned and was ready to be returned to the grieving family.

By the time they gathered the courage to return, thieves had already broken in.

“They didn’t think they could be any more devastated … this has just been another kick in the guts,” said Senior Sergeant Kevin Mawdsley on Monday.

“They’re in the lowest point of their lives dealing with something that for any family to deal with would be difficult – to now have to deal with this. It’s devastating.”

Callous thieves pilfered jewellery items and other personal items from the home where the elderly woman lost her life.

“They are not only valuable from a monetary point of view, but more importantly for the family, they are highly sentimental items,” Mawdsley said.

Police have recovered a number of items, but continue to appeal for missing items to be returned.

Mawdsley described the break-in as “unimaginable” and believe it was a crime of opportunity.

“The primary goal is to recover items of property.

“If people who have information about either the location of the property or the persons involved if they wish to remain anonymous, we are more than willing to consider anonymous information.

“We would implore them to consider the family and think about what’s more important in this situation.”