Devon and Cornwall Police believe former MP Ann Widdecombe was attacked at her home around 12:30 PM on Wednesday, July 8, 2026—nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered.

 

Ann Widdecombe may have been killed 24 hours before her body was found

Devon and Cornwall Police believe former MP Ann Widdecombe was attacked at her home around 12:30 PM on Wednesday, July 8, 2026—nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered.

Ambulance staff discovered the 78-year-old deceased with serious head injuries inside her rural home in the village of Haytor on Dartmoor at approximately 11:40 AM on Thursday, July 9.

 

The Missing Timeline

Detectives from Devon and Cornwall Police reconstructed the timeline of her final movements with assistance from television production staff:

• Wednesday, 8:05 AM: Widdecombe conducted a live interview from her home on TalkTV, praising Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
• Wednesday, 12:19 PM: She sent her final text message to a researcher for Channel 5's Matt Allwright show ahead of a scheduled interview.
• Wednesday, 12:30 PM: Police estimate this as the precise window of the fatal assault.
• Wednesday, 12:48 PM: A producer sent a Zoom link for the broadcast. She never connected or responded to subsequent attempts to contact her.

Status of the Murder Investigation

A major manhunt is currently underway as forensic teams continue gathering evidence at the cordoned-off property.

• Active Suspect Hunt: Investigators are urgently seeking a white male suspect. Police are keeping exact details and CCTV footage operational to avoid compromising the investigation. According to reporting from The Times, detectives are exploring whether she was attacked after confronting an intruder.
• Suspect Released: A 26-year-old man arrested on Friday, July 10, in Newton Abbot was fully eliminated from inquiries and released without charge.
• Motive: Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman confirmed that the killing is not being treated as a terrorist incident, and there is no evidence suggesting a politically motivated crime. Authorities have reassured local residents that there is no broader threat to the public.