The final text messages of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe appear to pinpoint the time of an attack at her Dartmoor home, according to communications shared with ITV News.
Widdecombe was engaged in a WhatsApp conversation with a Channel 5 TV producer regarding her scheduled appearance on the "Matt Allwright" show on Wednesday afternoon. The messages show regular exchanges between 12:14 p.m. and 12:19 p.m. The last message sent by Widdecombe at 12:19 p.m. read: "Received! Panic over!!" A "double blue tick" receipt indicated that Widdecombe had read a response sent at the same minute, but she did not read subsequent messages. The first follow-up message was sent at 12:48 p.m., followed by unanswered calls and a message at 12:55 p.m. asking, "Hi Ann is everything ok?"
Live on air at 1:27 p.m., host Matt Allwright confirmed Widdecombe was scheduled as a guest but had not appeared. The show's production team attempted to contact Widdecombe's agent later that day and again on Thursday.
Devon and Cornwall Police stated on Saturday that Widdecombe is believed to have been attacked around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. She was found dead at her home in Haytor, Dartmoor, on Thursday around 11:40 a.m. after sustaining serious injuries. Widdecombe, a Conservative MP from 1987 to 2010, served in various ministerial roles under Sir John Major's government.
A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder was released from custody on Saturday and is no longer part of the investigation. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said on Saturday that inquiries are progressing, focusing on a suspect believed to be a white male. Police are also seeking information about a driver behaving suspiciously near Widdecombe's home hours before her death. A garage manager in Haytor reported a dark VW Golf Mk4 parked in an unusual location around 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who knew Widdecombe, visited the scene and suggested the killing was premeditated, ruling out a burglary gone wrong. He noted a car was reportedly seen on Widdecombe's driveway shortly before she was found, which he argued would be an unlikely action for a burglar. Police have urged the public not to speculate as their investigation continues.