Ann Widdecombe's final text messages reveal she was coordinating a television interview just minutes before she was attacked and killed at her Dartmoor home, according to exchanges shared by GB News. The 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK figure was found dead on Thursday after police were called to her home shortly after midday.
Final Messages and Timeline
The text exchange, which occurred after Widdecombe had emailed Express.co.uk to confirm an interview slot, captures her final ordinary moments. At 12:09pm, she confirmed she could speak between 3.30pm and 4pm for a phone interview. At 12:19pm, she sent her last known message, saying 'Received! Panic over!!' after confirming receipt of materials for a Channel 5 Zoom interview.
Minutes later, at 12:48pm, a TV producer urged her to join the Zoom link. Multiple follow-up voice calls between 12:53pm and 1:14pm went unanswered. Police believe Widdecombe was attacked around 12:30pm, just 11 minutes after her final text.
Police Investigation
Devon and Cornwall Police have launched a murder investigation. In a statement on Saturday evening, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: 'I want to start with expressing my thanks to the local community and to the people who have come forward so far with their information. We have been working at pace on this investigation. Officers are making progress and are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry.'
Longman added that the force has made an active decision not to release further details, including suspect descriptions or CCTV footage, as releasing such information prematurely could compromise ongoing inquiries and prejudice future investigative opportunities. He said the decision is made on an 'operational basis' and that information will be released when 'appropriate and necessary'.
