Former MP Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home days ago, with a suspect said to have driven to her house in Devon before going home to eat pizza.
A 28-year-old man is thought to have made a 540-mile round trip from his home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, to her home in Devon.
Investigators say the Reform politician, 78, was found in a pool of her own blood, 24 hours later, inside the kitchen of her remote Dartmoor bungalow.
The ex-Tory minister was last seen during an interview for Talk TV at around 8am on Wednesday. But she then failed to appear on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show just a few hours later at 1pm.
According to The Sun, the suspect left his home in a red Vauxhall Corsa at 7.51am on Wednesday, returning home by 6pm as seen in CCTV footage.
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The man, who lived alone with his Labradoodle, Rave, reportedly ate a Pizza Express Sloppy Giuseppe supermarket pizza that evening.
He did not emerge from his home again for three days, leaving on Saturday morning to put his bin out, wearing blue shorts and no top. Hours later, he was arrested at his home.
Counter-terrorism police were involved in the arrest carried out on behalf of Devon and Cornwall Police, but the force confirmed that there is still no information suggesting the death is terrorism related.
Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor described it as ‘a dynamic and complex investigation’.
He continued: ‘Building on the progress made by our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police, we now have new information and evidence that means Counter Terrorism Policing is now leading the investigation. We are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.
‘Our priority is progressing this investigation quickly, with all the capabilities we have available to us.’
The authorities have requested that anyone with any information come forward, thanking the public for their ‘support and patience’.
Timeline of investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s death
Ann Widdecombe’s death announced
Former Conservative politician Ann Widdecombe’s death was announced by her management on the morning of Friday, July 10.
Their statement read: ‘It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG.
‘We send our deepest condolences to Ann’s family and friends. We ask that the family’s wish not to be contacted at this sad time is respected.’
Murder probe launched
That same day, it was confirmed that an investigation had been launched into possible foul play after the ex-MP’s body was found ‘covered in blood from sustaining a serious head wound’ at her Dartmoor home in Devon on Thursday.
Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement: ‘Police officers were called to an address at Haytor by the ambulance service at around 11:40am on Thursday, 9 July.
‘Sadly, 78-year-old Miss Widdecombe was located deceased within the property. She had sustained serious injuries.
‘Her next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
‘Detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation and are conducting extensive enquiries into the circumstances surrounding Miss Widdecombe’s death.’
A manhunt for a white male was launched as the investigation began moving at a ‘significant pace’.
Arrest made
During a media conference on Friday evening, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman confirmed that a 26-year-old male suspect, a white British national, is now in custody after being arrested at an address in Newton Abbot, a short drive away from Widdecombe’s residence.
He added in an evening press conference that while police presence is heightened in the area where Miss Widdecombe lived and while the force has ‘consulted counter-terrorism policing’, the death of the ex-Strictly star is not being treated as terror-related.
Too early to comment on motive
Longman explained that investigators remain ‘open-minded’, but it is ‘too early to comment further’ on whether the suspect was known to the victim.
Asked whether the incident could have had political motivations, he repeated his prior response, adding: ‘At this time, I have got no information to believe that that is a politically motivated crime.’
Similarly, outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it is vital to ‘rise above any political differences’.
Asked whether he believes Miss Widdecombe’s alleged murder could have been politically motivated, he responded: ‘It’s really important we remain vigilant. I’m not going to speculate about this particular case.’
Miss Widdecombe’s management speaks out
Following the news of the murder investigation, Cloud9 Management said they are ‘absolutely devastated’ after ‘a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours’.
‘We fully support the police in their investigations, and we reiterate the family’s desire not to be contacted at this difficult time. We implore anyone who may have relevant information to contact Devon and Cornwall Police.’
Local community ‘devastated’
Susan Coysh, Miss Widdecombe’s neighbor, told the BBC: ‘I’m shocked. In this lovely setting where we live…’
‘I can’t see why anybody would want to hurt her… it hasn’t sunk in yet, actually,’ she said, describing Widdecombe as ‘a character and a lovely lady’.
She last saw Miss Widdecombe at a petrol station 10 days ago. While ‘approachable’, she typically ‘kept to herself’.
Other neighbors said that Miss Widdecombe had withdrawn from the local community in recent years.
Man seen arriving ‘in middle of the night’
Next door neighbor Peter Cornthwaite said Miss Widdecombe was not known to have security or a secure garden at her home, called Widdecombe’s Rest. He referred to the area as ‘very quiet’, telling The Sun there is little crime.
He added that he saw a van arrive in the early hours of the morning on the day Miss Widdecombe died.
The white man was dressed in hiking clothes.
Suspect released
The 26-year-old man arrested on Friday was released from custody on Saturday morning. Police confirmed he is no longer part of the investigation.
As the manhunt continues, Longman said: ‘Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined.’
Fresh details emerge
Officers have now said they believe Miss Widdecombe was attacked 24 hours before she was found.
Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘We believe the attack took place on Wednesday, 8 July, at around 12:30pm.
‘Our enquiries are moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male.’
Their theory follows the revelation that Miss Widdecombe stopped responding to text messages at 12:19pm.
She had been due to appear via Zoom on a Channel 5 show but did not turn up. One producer repeatedly messaged her, asking if she was ‘OK’ and trying to call her, but the WhatsApp communications went unopened and unanswered.
Second suspect arrested after release of 26-year-old
A second suspect, a 28-year-old British national, was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Friday evening, July 11.
Police provide an update on the investigation
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said that the force is not looking for a second suspect, and there is no risk to the wider public.
Counter terrorism police take lead after new evidence
Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed it was taking the lead in the investigation into the death of Miss Widdecombe on Monday after new information and evidence came to light.
The 28-year-old arrested in Rotherham on suspicion of murder is re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
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