Police investigating the death of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe have identified a 29-minute gap in her final timeline, as a neighbour reports seeing a mystery man in hiking gear arriving at her home overnight before her body was discovered.
Discovery and Timeline
Ann Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday morning, July 9. Paramedics arrived at 11:40am and discovered she had suffered serious injuries. Police now believe she was attacked around 12:30pm on Wednesday, July 8—nearly 24 hours before her body was found.
She had failed to attend a scheduled television appearance on Wednesday morning. A later message was sent regarding another appearance, but when she did not respond to follow-up messages, concerns were raised, leading to the tragic discovery.
Neighbour Sighting
A neighbour living immediately next door to Miss Widdecombe told The Sun they saw a van arrive in the early hours of the morning on the day she is believed to have died. The man was described as white, British, and dressed in hiking clothes. Police are now trying to identify this individual.
Missing 29 Minutes
Detectives are focused on a 29-minute period between Miss Widdecombe's final contact and a later message to her that went unanswered. Establishing what happened during this window is considered key to the investigation.
Arrest and Release
A 26-year-old man arrested in Newton Abbott on Friday in connection with the investigation was released without charge early on Saturday. Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed he is no longer part of the inquiry.
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 enquiries as part of the ongoing investigation and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident."
Police Manhunt
Police are still hunting for a white male suspect. Officers have been searching hedgerows near Miss Widdecombe's home. Detectives have stated they do not believe the attack was politically motivated and it is not being treated as terrorism, but they are keeping an open mind regarding the motive.
