Devon and Cornwall Police have released the only suspect arrested in connection with the murder of former Conservative MP and Brexit Party MEP Ann Widdecombe, leaving the investigation potentially back to square one. The 78-year-old was found dead at her remote bungalow in Haytor, Dartmoor, on Thursday, July 9, with a serious head wound and covered in blood. A 26-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday, has been released from custody and is no longer part of the inquiry, police confirmed on Saturday. As the investigation continues, five key questions remain unanswered.
Was There CCTV of the Attacker?
Photographs of Miss Widdecombe's property show a doorbell camera device, and given her former role as a prisons minister, it is likely she had CCTV installed. Police have not released any images of a suspect from potential footage, but they have stated they are looking for a "white male," suggesting some CCTV evidence exists. The absence of released images leaves the public without a description of the suspect.
Have Police Ruled Out an Accident?
Miss Widdecombe was 78, and while no health issues have been reported, it is unclear whether police have definitively ruled out a fall or other accident. One reported theory is a burglary gone wrong, but police have not officially commented on this. The cause of her head injury remains unconfirmed.
Do We Know If a Weapon Caused Her Injuries?
Despite reports of severe head injuries and blood at the scene, police have not disclosed details of any weapon used in the attack. Forensic pathologists are working to establish the exact cause of death, but no information about a potential murder weapon has been released.
Had Ann Received Any Recent Threats?
It is unknown if Miss Widdecombe had reported any recent threats. As an outspoken supporter of Reform UK and a former prisons minister, a motive tied to her political career cannot be ruled out. She had previously revealed receiving death threats, a sad reality for politicians. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has stated he will need security for life due to threats. However, police have said they do not believe the murder was politically motivated.
What Time Did She Die?
Determining the time of death is crucial for isolating the attacker on CCTV. Miss Widdecombe was last seen alive on a remote interview on Talk TV at around 8am on Wednesday, July 8. She was due to appear on Channel 5's Matt Allwright show at 1pm the same day. A researcher had been in text conversation with her; her last message was received at 12.19pm. When the researcher sent a message asking her to join a Zoom link at 12.48pm, she received no reply. The minutes between those texts could be critical to the investigation.
