Woman Reclaims Stolen Handbag After 30 Years

After losing her handbag 30 years ago, a Scottish woman, Audrey Hay, was pleasantly surprised when an 11-year-old girl, Maisie Coutts, found the bag washed ashore along the River Don in Aberdeen, United Kingdom.

The worn-out bag still contained most of its original contents, such as credit cards, pens, lipstick, keys, and tablets, although the £200 in cash was missing. Hay’s handbag had been stolen from her desk at work three decades ago, and it is believed that the thief took the money and discarded the bag into the River Don.

Maisie Coutts discovered the handbag during a walk with her parents along the river. Intrigued by the find, Coutts and her family decided to investigate further. Upon finding credit cards with a name and dates from the 1990s, they turned to social media to identify the owner. Through online research, they connected with Audrey Hay, who confirmed the bag was hers, marking the end of its unexpected journey.

Expressing her delight at the unexpected recovery, Hay said, “This wasn’t expected. It’s amazing it survived. It’s the only bag I have lost.”

The heartwarming story highlights the power of social media in reconnecting lost items with their owners and the unexpected twists that time can bring, as Hay’s long-lost handbag resurfaced after three decades, thanks to the curiosity and kindness of a young girl and her family.

_{Repurposed article originally published in ShethePeople}