🚨 POLICE BELIEVE ANN WIDDECOMBE DI-ED NEARLY 24 HOURS BEFORE HER B0DY WAS FOUND AFTER SHE SUDDENLY STOPPED ANSWERING HER PHONE… AND A NEW MOVE BY AUTHORITIES IS NOW DRAWING WIDESPREAD ATTENTION
COPS believe Ann Widdecombe died 24 hours before her body was found after she stopped answering the phone – and are still hunting for a white male suspect.
The 78-year-old former Tory minister turned Reform UK politician & TV star was found dead at her Dartmoor home the next day by a horrified carer.
Ann Widdecombe was reportedly found by a carer who worked for herCredit: Stuart Clarke
Forensics are combing through Ms Widdecombe’s home in Newton AbbotCredit: Reuters
She spoke about Nigel Farage’s surprise resignation in her final TV appearance at 8am on WednesdayCredit: TalkTV/ X
Matt Allwright expressed concern after Ms Widdecombe failed to appear on his Channel 5 on Wednesday at 2.15pm
Police are now working on the theory she was attacked around Wednesday lunchtime in a burglary gone wrong, The Sun understands.
Ms Widdecombe appeared on TalkTV at 8am on Wednesday morning and was due to be interviewed again at 2.15pm on Channel 5 that afternoon.
But concerns were raised when she stopped responding to messages, it is understood.
She was found by a carer covered in blood after being allegedly bludgeoned to death and sustaining a serious head wound, on Thursday morning.
Concerns were raised by the team at Channel 5 after Ms Widdecombe stopped replyingCredit: Reuters
Ms Widdicombe was found by her carer on Thursday morningCredit: Alamy
Tributes have begun to flood in for Ms WiddecombeCredit: PA:Press Association
Flowers have been left outside the home of the former politicianCredit: Reuters
Channel 5 star Dan Walker said: “Ann was due to appear on 5 Daytime on Wednesday afternoon but stopped responding to messages and didn’t turn up for the show.
“The team contacted her agent to ask them to check in on her.
“This information has been passed to police as it’s part of the investigation.”
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said in an update today: “We believe the attack took place on Wednesday 8 July at around 12.30pm.”
What you need to know…
Ann Widdecombe, 78, has been found dead at her Devon home
The politician’s carer reportedly found her body
A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has been released and is no longer under investigation
Cops say they have “no information” to suggest it was politically motivated
The host of Ann Widdecombe’s final TV interview has broken his silence
What we know about her cause of death as cops launch murder probe
Who are her family? From the late politician’s parents to her Anglican reverend brother, everything you need to know
Ann Widdecombe’s alleged killer was caught on CCTV at her remote home
She died after a burglary gone wrong, cops fear
Cops previously said they were called to her home in Devon by the ambulance service at around 11.40am on Thursday.
They said at the time: “Sadly, 78-year-old Ms Widdecombe was located deceased within the property. She had sustained serious injuries.”
A 26-year-old man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of murder but he has since been released and is no longer part of the investigation, cops have said.
Devon and Cornwall Police has confirmed it is still hunting a white male suspect.
Detectives believe Ann was killed on WednesdayCredit: Getty
Ann Widdecombe, at her home in Haytor and on Haytor Rocks, Dartmoor, Devonshire, UKCredit: Alamy
In yesterday’s press conference, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said that there was “no information” at this time to suggest the murder was a “politically motivated crime.”
Officers are carrying out an extensive forensic examination of the property and are also searching the surrounding area.
Ann Widdecombe’s personal driver has spoken of his “absolute shock” at finding out the former MP may have been murdered.
Peter Horrell described the ex-Tory prisons minister as a “great lady” who was “very comical” and “down to earth”.
Speaking to journalists after placing flowers in front of her house, he said Miss Widdecombe had “never mentioned any fear” for her safety and that she loved living in Haytor.
A spokesman for the coroner’s office for the county of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay said: “Preliminary inquiries are ongoing.”
Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke said he is “devastated” to hear that Ms Widdecombe has died.
Departing PM Keir Starmer said it was “really shocking news” that police had launched a murder investigation and praised the former MP as a “distinguished politician”.
Officers are carrying out an extensive forensic examination of the propertyCredit: Alan Simpson
How Ann’s death unfolded
Wednesday
8.05am Ms Widdecombe is interviewed on TalkTV.
12.19pm Ms Widdecombe’s last message to someone from Matt Allwright’s Channel 5 show about a video interview that afternoon.
12.30pm The time police have given for her alleged murder.
12.48pm The researcher messages Ms Widdecombe again with a Zoom link for the interview but has no response.
Thursday
11.40am Devon and Cornwall Police arrive to the house after being called by the ambulance service and find Ms Widdecombe’s body.
Friday afternoon
Cops arrest a 26-year-old white British man on suspicion of murder.
Saturday morning
The force announce that the suspect has been released and is no longer a part of the murder investigation.
Other Labour MPs, including Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner have also paid tribute.
A spokeswoman for Andy Burnham said: “Andy’s deepest condolences and thoughts are with Ann’s family today, in incredibly distressing circumstances.
“Ann gave a lifetime of public service, and it’s absolutely right that the police put all their resources into investigating this as swiftly as possible.”
Ms Widdecombe spent time as Education Minister and Prisons Minister in then-Prime Minister John Major‘s cabinet.
Following her retirement from Parliament in 2010, Widdecombe swapped the Commons for the ballroom and starred in BBC‘s Strictly Come Dancing.
Ann went on to appear in ITV favourite Celebrity Big Brother, where she finished runner-up to Aussie singer Courtney Act.
SOURCE: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/39723796/ann-widdecombe-died-24-hours-before-body-found/
