Ann Widdecombe's final texts minutes before she was allegedly murdered in her home
Ann Widdecombe’s final WhatsApp message shows that she stopped replying minutes before police believe she was attacked.
A murder investigation has been launched after the former Conservative MP, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at around 11.40am on Thursday (9 July).
Devon and Cornwall Police arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of murder in Rotherham, South Yorkshire on Saturday.
According to WhatsApp messages obtained by ITV News, Widdecombe’s last text exchange was with a producer about a scheduled TV appearance between 12.14pm and 12.19pm on Wednesday.
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The producer appeared to be trying to organise a Zoom call but received no answer after 12.19pm.
Widdecombe’s last message was ‘Received! Panic over!!’, as the producer then asked for her to ‘let me know if there’s any issues’.
She was reportedly scheduled to appear as a guest on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show that afternoon.
Dan Walker said on X: “Really sad news about Ann Widdecombe. Horrible to think about what she went through. To clarify something we said on the programme tonight… Ann was due to appear on 5 Daytime on Wednesday afternoon but stopped responding to messages and didn't turn up for the show.
“The team contacted her agent to ask them to check in on her. This information has been passed to police as it's part of the investigation.”
Ann Widdecombe's final text messages
Ann Widdecombe (12:14):
Not yet. Looked a few seconds ago!
Producer (12:15):
Hi they said they sent it to you, but maybe it's to the wrong email
Ann Widdecombe (12:15):
We spoke. Sorry for the confusion. I can see now that I refused today was extra time!! Old age is a terrible thing.
Producer (12:16):
Would you mind sending me the address you'd like to receive it from
Producer (12:16):
Haha no problem!
Ann Widdecombe (12:16):
It is the usual one that you always use...
Producer (12:17):
That's strange they did send it to that address
Producer (12:17):
At 9:20 this morning
Producer (12:17):
I'll send it to you now
Producer (12:18):
Just sent to this address, let me know if you've got it
Ann Widdecombe (12:19):
Received! Panic over!!
Producer (12:19):
Amazing! Let me know if there's any issues
Producer (12:48):
Hi Ann could you join the zoom now please
MISSED CALL (12:53)
Producer (12:55):
Hi Ann is everything okay?
MISSED CALL (13:05)
MISSED CALL (13:14)
Ann Widdecombe's alleged murder: a timeline of events
Wednesday 8 July
7am - Outside a property linked to the suspect arrested on suspicion of murdering Widdecombe in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, neighbours see a man putting ‘some kind of wooden stick’ into the passenger side of a red car, the Press Association reports.
8.05am - Ann Widdecombe appears in an interview for TalkTV about Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
12.19pm - Widdecombe sends her final message to a Channel 5 researcher at this time as they discuss setting up a video interview.
12.30pm - Police believe Widdecombe was attacked around this time.
12.48pm - A message from the Channel 5 researcher asking Widdecombe to join a Zoom link goes unanswered.
Thursday 9 July
11.40am - Police are called to Widdecombe’s home in Hayton, Devon by ambulance services to find she had died after suffering serious injuries.
Friday 10 July
6.30am - Widdecombe’s management team releases a statement announcing her death - there is no reference to suspicious circumstances.
3.45pm - Devon and Cornwall Police announce they have launched a murder investigation.
5.45pm - Police announce they have arrested a 26-year-old white man as part of their investigation.
Saturday 11 July
6.30am - The 26-year-old is released from custody without being charged and police say he is no longer part of their investigation.
9pm - A white 28-year-old British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is arrested on suspicion of murder.
Sunday 12 July
Police say there is nothing to suggest Widdecombe’s alleged murder was politically motivated or an act of terrorism and say they are not looking for anyone else as part of their investigation.
Topics: UK News
Anish Vij