BREAKING UPDATE: P0lice share fresh update on Ann Widdecombe’s d3ath as they arrest 28-year old man
She d!ed last week.
It was confirmed earlier this week that former MP Ann Widdecombe had d!ed at the age of 78. Authorities later revealed they are investigating the circumstances surrounding her d3ath after she was found d3ad at her home in Dartmoor.
In the latest development, police have confirmed that another arrest has now been made.
ITV News has also disclosed some of the final text messages Ann sent before her d3ath.
Police make fresh arrest over Ann Widdecombe’s d3ath
Ann was discovered with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday. Detectives believe the attack happened almost 24 hours earlier.
A 26-year-old man was initially arrested on suspicion of Ann’s murder but was released from custody on Saturday. Police later confirmed he is no longer being treated as part of the investigation.
In a further update, officers confirmed a 28-year-old man had been arrested at an address in South Yorkshire, around 270 miles (430km) from Ann’s home in Devon.
Suspect remains in police custody
Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We can confirm that a 28-year-old man was arrested at an address in the South Yorkshire area this evening (July 11) on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe.
“The suspect, who is a white British national, is currently in police custody.”
The force said Counter Terrorism Policing North East assisted with the investigation. Although South Yorkshire Police carried out the arrest, officers stressed there remains “no information to suggest that this is a terrorism-related incident”.
Police believe Ann was attacked at around 12.30pm on Wednesday.
Ann’s driver ‘couldn’t believe’ the news
Following news of Ann’s d3ath, tributes poured in from several public figures, including her former Strictly Come Dancing partner Anton Du Beke.
Her long-time driver, Peter Horrall, placed flowers near the scene over the weekend and told the BBC he “just couldn’t believe” what had happened.
“She was a great lady, very kind,” he said, adding: “If you asked her a question, you’d get an answer. No mucking about.”
Ann Widdecombe’s final WhatsApp messages
ITV News has also shared details of some of Ann’s final WhatsApp messages.
The exchange was with a television producer arranging Ann’s scheduled appearance on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright programme on Wednesday afternoon.
The producer asked Ann to join a Zoom call from her home, with messages exchanged between 12.14pm and 12.19pm.
Ann’s final reply, sent at 12.19pm, read: “Received! Panic over!!”
WhatsApp records show she read the producer’s response sent at 12.19pm but never opened any later messages.
The producer repeatedly tried calling Ann but received no reply. At 12.55pm, another message was sent asking: “Hi Ann is everything ok?”
ITV News reported that the message history has since been handed over to police.
