The mystery of the murder of Ann Widdecombe continues as police try to piece together her movements on the final day of her life – here is the timeline of the events as detectives launch a manhunt for her killer
Police believe former MP and MEP Ann Widdecombe was attacked in her home nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered and said they are hunting for a white male suspect.
The ex-Tory prisons minister was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at around 11.40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries. Devon and Cornwall Police said on Saturday it is believed Miss 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.” He said: “Our inquiries are moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male.”
A 26-year-old white British man who was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot on suspicion of the murder of Miss Widdecombe on Friday was released from custody on Saturday.
A Channel 5 researcher reportedly received a message from Widdecombe at 12.19pm on Wednesday, before a scheduled interview at 1pm. The researcher messaged Ms Widdecombe at 12.48pm to make sure they were still go ahead with the chat.
She was then messaged at 12:48pm requesting she join a Zoom link in preparation for the video interview. But, there was no response, ITV News reports.
As seen in our earlier post, police said Widdecombe was attacked around 12:30pm on Wednesday and then officers were called to the former MP’s home at 11:40am the following day.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined. Detectives continue to carry out numerous inquiries as part of the ongoing investigation and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”
He said the investigation was “moving at a significant pace”, adding: “We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened. I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us. We will release further information when we are able to do so.
“In the meantime, I would ask people not to speculate about what might have happened, particularly on social media. This is not only potentially harmful to our investigation but also deeply distressing for family and friends of Miss Widdecombe.
“The family have also asked for their privacy to be respected as they come to terms with what has happened. We have set up a major incident public portal for information, images or footage to be submitted to us. This can be found on our website.
“Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers.”
