A former Metropolitan Police detective has expressed confidence that forensic evidence left at the scene of Ann Widdecombe's murder will lead to the killer's capture. Former Det Ch Insp David McKelvey stated it was 'just a question of time' before the perpetrator is identified and brought to justice.
Burglary Gone Wrong Theory
Mr McKelvey suggested the attack 'smells like a burglary gone wrong', noting that warm weather often leads to an increase in such crimes as people leave windows open. He highlighted that modern technology, including CCTV and mobile phones, is crucial in solving such cases. Police are believed to be examining doorbell cameras, car footage, and ANPR cameras to track the movements of known offenders in the area.
Devon and Cornwall Police believe the attack occurred at around 12:30pm on Wednesday, nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered at 11:40am on Thursday at her home in Haytor, Dartmoor. The former MP and MEP, who also served as a Tory prisons minister, sustained serious injuries. Police are searching for a white male suspect.
Forensic Evidence Expected
Mr McKelvey emphasized that the crime was unlikely to have been pre-planned to a degree that would eliminate forensic clues. 'It's likely there will be DNA, fingerprints, footprints and other forensic evidence,' he said. He noted potential blood spatter from blunt trauma to the head, which could have transferred to the attacker's clothing.
Detectives would have acted during the 'golden hour' after the discovery to secure evidence, including house-to-house inquiries, local CCTV, and ANPR footage across a wide area. Mr McKelvey added that police would examine known offenders' vehicles, organized burglary gangs, and recently released prisoners.
Timeline and Investigation
Police have narrowed the murder timeline to a 29-minute window on Wednesday afternoon when Ms Widdecombe failed to respond to messages. A 26-year-old white British man arrested on Friday in Newton Abbot on suspicion of murder was released from custody on Saturday.
In a statement, Detective Superintendent James Longman thanked the community for their information and confirmed that officers are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry. He said the decision not to release CCTV footage or suspect descriptions is operational, to avoid compromising ongoing investigations. He urged the public not to speculate on social media and to report any relevant information via the major incident public portal.
