Police believe Ann Widdecombe may have been deceased at her home for approximately 24 hours before her body was found.
In a Saturday afternoon update, investigators said they are operating on the assumption that the 78‑year‑old former politician was assaulted around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Emergency services located Widdecombe’s body at her bungalow in Haytor, Devon, at 11:40 a.m. on Thursday.
A 26‑year‑old man detained in Newton Abbott on Friday in connection with the investigation was released without charge early Saturday and is no longer considered a suspect.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman of Devon and Cornwall Police said Widdecombe’s death is being treated as suspicious, although authorities do not believe there is a broader threat to the public.
“Our inquiries are progressing quickly regarding a suspect believed to be a white male,” he said.
“I urge anyone with any information, no matter how minor, to come forward and speak with us.”
“Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined.”
“Detectives continue to pursue numerous lines of inquiry as part of the ongoing investigation, and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”
On Friday, police said Widdecombe’s death is not being treated as terrorism and there is no indication it was politically motivated.
“I ask people not to speculate about what might have happened, especially on social media,” Longman said. “Such speculation can hinder the investigation and cause deep distress for Miss Widdecombe’s family and friends.”
“The family has also requested that their privacy be respected while they come to terms with what has happened.”
“We have launched a major‑incident public portal where information, images or footage can be submitted via our website. Tips can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers.”
The Guardian understands that police have reconstructed a timeline of Widdecombe’s final movements using information supplied by television producers.
A former Conservative minister who later joined Reform UK, she made her final television appearance on TalkTV shortly after 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
She praised Nigel Farage’s decision to trigger a by‑election in his Clacton constituency as “the sort of decisive action needed from a national leader.”
ITV News reported that Widdecombe subsequently spoke with a researcher from Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show ahead of an interview scheduled for 1 p.m.
Widdecombe’s last message to the staff member was sent at 12:19 p.m.; at 12:48 p.m. the researcher contacted her to request she join a Zoom link for the show but received no reply.
Channel 5 executives are believed to have contacted Widdecombe’s agent after subsequent messages and calls went unanswered. Producers said they were concerned, as it was out of character for the regular panellist not to respond.
Tributes to Widdecombe continued on Saturday. Neighbor Christine Maloney said she was shocked by her death.
“It shouldn’t have happened; it’s horrific,” she said. “Everyone knows that’s her house—perhaps that’s part of the issue?”
Another local resident, Alison Gilbert, said: “She was a nice woman—really nice—and had a great sense of humour. It’s a lovely area where you often talk to strangers.”
“While many saw her as an opinionated politician, to us she was simply a member of the community.”
Widdecombe’s Oxford contemporary and fellow former MP, Gyles Brandreth, said: “We met when we were both 19 and remained friends because she was fun and kind, even when we disagreed fiercely.”
An outspoken Catholic convert who opposed abortion and same‑sex marriage, Widdecombe retired from the Commons in 2010 after representing Maidstone for 23 years.
She later appeared on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, where she gained widespread public popularity by reaching the semi‑finals.
She defected to Farage’s Brexit party in 2019, becoming an MEP for south‑west England before the UK left the EU in 2020. She subsequently joined its successor, Reform UK, and served as its immigration and justice spokesperson.