Ann Widdecombe’s last hours probed with minute-by-minute timeline as arrested man launched

Cops believe she was attacked in her home nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered and said they are hunting for a white male suspect, and have released a timeline as appeals for information continue.

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Police believe they may have narrowed down the time to find out exactly when former MP Ann Widdecombe died.

Cops think she was attacked in her home nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered and said they are hunting for a white male suspect, and have released a timeline as appeals for information continue.

The ex-Tory minister was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at around 11.40am on Thursday and was found to have sustained serious injuries, leading to police opening a murder investigation.

Devon and Cornwall Police said on Saturday it is believed Miss Widdecombe was attacked on Wednesday at around 12.30pm and her death is being treated as suspicious.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “We do not believe there is a wider risk to the public. Our inquiries are moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male.”

An unnamed 26-year-old white British man was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot on suspicion of the murder of Miss Widdecombe on Friday but was released from custody on Saturday.

And now specific details have been released about the lead up to her death. It is claimed that a Channel 5 researcher reportedly received a message from Widdecombe at 12.19pm on Wednesday, before a scheduled interview at 1pm.

The researcher then followed up with a message to Ms Widdecombe at 12.48pm to make sure they were still go ahead with the chat but there was no response. 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.“

Ann Widdecombe’s death timeline

Wednesday 12.19pm: A message was reportedly sent by Ann to another TV producer working for Channel 5 regarding her up-coming TV appearance on the Matthew Allwright programme.

Wednesday 12.48pm: With the show already underway, the producer requests the former politician join the Zoom meeting for the remote interview ready to go live. She does not respond. This was later reported by broadcaster Dan Walker, who confirmed police were made aware.

Thursday 11.40am: Police were called after a carer discovered her body in the kitchen of her bungalow.

Thursday 11.45am: Her family are informed of her death.

Friday 7am: The death of the former politician is announced with a statement from her management reading: “It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG.”

Friday 3.40pm: Devon and Cornwall Police confirm they have launched murder investigation

Friday: 5.20pm: Police say a 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Detectives have said they remain “open-minded” about the circumstances surrounding Ms Widdecombe’s death and have no information to suggest it was politically motivated.

Friday 5.40pm: Police launch fresh appeal to the public to share relevant information.

Friday 5.45pm: Detectives say there is ‘no information’ that this is a ‘politically motivated crime’ and appear to rule out terrorism.

Friday 8.30pm: A man dressed in hiking clothes turned up at Ann Widdecombe’s home in the middle of the night just hours before her body was found, a neighbour tells reporters.

Saturday 6.30am: The man who was arrested on suspicion of murder released from custody and is no longer part of the investigation, Devon and Cornwall Police said.