Ex-MP Death Probe
Police launch murder inquiry after former MP Ann Widdecombe found dead at Devon home with serious injuries
Key Points
Widdecombe lived in Haytor, near Newton Abbot in Devon at the time of her death.
Detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team are leading the murder investigation, with officers carrying out extensive house-to-house and CCTV enquiries.
Police have launched a manhunt for a white male suspect and have imposed road closures and a cordon around the scene.
A carer is reported to have found Widdecombe's body at her Devon home.
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, described the circumstances as extremely distressing and said her thoughts were with Widdecombe’s family.
Ann Widdecombe, the 78-year-old former Conservative MP and television personality, was found dead with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, a village on Dartmoor in Devon, on Thursday morning. BBC confirmed police were called to the address after the ambulance service raised the alarm. Devon and Cornwall Police quickly upgraded the case to a murder investigation.
Detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team are now leading a manhunt for a white male suspect. Police have imposed road closures and a cordon around the scene. NBC News reported that Widdecombe — a former prisons minister who later became a Reform UK spokesperson — had served as an MP until 2010 and was widely known for her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing.
Carer Discovers Body, Murder Inquiry Declared
A carer found Widdecombe's body at her Haytor home Thursday morning, according to BBC. The ambulance service then alerted police. Officers arrived to find serious injuries that prompted an immediate escalation to a murder probe. Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said the investigation is in its early stages but "progressing quickly."
Next of kin have been informed, police confirmed. A cordon and road closures are in place around the scene. The Force Major Crime Investigation Team — Devon and Cornwall Police's top unit for serious crimes — is running the inquiry. The Independent reported that forensic examinations are underway at the property.
Police Hunt White Male Suspect Across Dartmoor
Authorities have released a description of the suspect as a white male. Officers are conducting extensive house-to-house inquiries in Haytor and the surrounding area. CCTV footage is also being reviewed. WDC News 6 reported that police are actively looking for the person responsible for Widdecombe's death.
Haytor is a small, remote village on Dartmoor, close to Newton Abbot in Devon. The rural setting presents challenges for investigators. Police have not yet confirmed a motive. DCI Rosson urged anyone with information to come forward immediately.
A Prominent Political Career Cut Short
Widdecombe served as a Conservative MP for Maidstone from 1987 to 2010. She held the role of prisons minister in the 1990s and was known for taking controversial, outspoken positions. She later joined Nigel Farage's Brexit Party and became a spokesperson for Reform UK, according to The Independent.
Beyond politics, she was a well-known television figure, most famously appearing on Strictly Come Dancing. NBC News noted she also took part in Celebrity Big Brother. Her management team announced her death publicly before police confirmed the murder investigation.
Home Secretary and Colleagues Express Condolences
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the circumstances as "extremely distressing" and said her thoughts were with Widdecombe's family. The reaction came from across the political spectrum, with colleagues and officials offering tributes to the former minister.
The Business Times reported that police gave a live update after the death was confirmed, underlining the seriousness of the case. Investigators have not announced any arrests. Anyone with information is asked to contact Devon and Cornwall Police directly.
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