Ann Widdecombe sent a message to a television researcher just 11 minutes before police believe she was murdered in her home. Devon and Cornwall Police stated the attack likely occurred on Wednesday, July 8, at around 12:30pm, and that enquiries are "moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male."
Timeline of Events
The former Conservative prisons minister was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on Thursday at approximately 11:40am. Just 24 hours earlier, the 78-year-old, who stood 5'1", was exchanging messages with a Channel 5 researcher regarding an appearance on the Matt Allwright show scheduled for 1pm on Wednesday. She was last seen alive during a remote interview on Talk TV at around 8am the same day.
The researcher received what would be Widdecombe's final message at 12:19pm. When the researcher contacted her at 12:48pm to confirm she could join a Zoom link for her 1pm appearance, there was no reply. If detectives' timeline is correct, Widdecombe may have been alive for only 11 minutes after sending her last text at 12:19pm and before the time police believe she was attacked.
Investigation Update
No details of how she sustained her injuries have been released, but reports indicate she was found covered in blood with head injuries. Devon and Cornwall Police stated on Saturday that they believe Widdecombe was attacked on Wednesday at around 12:30pm. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said her death is being treated as suspicious but added: "We do not believe there is a wider risk to the public."
Longman further stated: "Our inquiries are moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male." A 26-year-old white British man arrested on Friday at an address in Newton Abbot on suspicion of murder was released from custody on Saturday.
Background of Ann Widdecombe
Widdecombe, aged 78, was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987. She later served as an MEP for the Brexit Party and as a spokeswoman for Reform UK. Beyond politics, she gained fame after appearing on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
In a statement released on Saturday evening, ACC 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. At this time, we have made the active decision not to release further information, including descriptions of any potential suspects or releasing CCTV footage. Releasing such information prematurely could compromise ongoing inquiries and may prejudice future investigative opportunities."
