Overview
- Devon and Cornwall Police found Ann Widdecombe dead at her home on Dartmoor after emergency crews were called, and she was reported to have sustained serious injuries.
- Detectives launched a murder inquiry and established a forensic cordon, carrying out specialist examinations, road closures, house-to-house checks and CCTV and doorbell footage trawls.
- A 26-year-old white British man was arrested in Newton Abbot but has since been released from custody and is no longer part of the investigation.
- Police say the case is not being treated as terrorism and there is no current evidence it was politically motivated, though counter-terror officers were consulted early in enquiries.
- Widdecombe’s management has asked for privacy for the family and police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward as the Major Crime team continues forensic work and witness inquiries.