![\"Ann](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0_Reform-UK-Holds-Regional-Conference-In-Cornwall.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe politician was found dead at her home earlier this month<\/p>\n
Ann Widdecombe(Image: Hugh Hastings\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
It has been three weeks since the sudden and unexpected death of Ann Widdecombe at her home in Devon.<\/p>\n
A lot has happened since the news of the former Tory minister\u2019s passing broke on Friday, July 10, without any initial indication of suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.<\/p>\n
Within just hours, Devon and Cornwall Police announced it was treating Ms Widdecombe\u2019s death as a murder as it was found she had suffered serious injuries.<\/p>\n
The force confirmed the 78-year-old\u2019s body was found at her home in Haytor Vale at around 11.40am on Thursday, July 9.<\/p>\n
Police said they believe Ms Widdecombe was attacked in her home at around 12.30pm on Wednesday, July 8, around 24-hours before she was found.<\/p>\n
The politician’s idyllic Dartmoor home quickly became a major crime scene as police officers swarmed the area.<\/p>\n
Since then, the investigation into her death has moved at a rapid pace, including the arrest of 28-year-old Joshua Kerry who has since been charged with murder.<\/p>\n
Here is everything we know so far three weeks on from Ann Widdecombe\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
Arrest<\/p>\n
Kerry was arrested on suspicion of murder by Devon and Cornwall Police on Saturday, July 11, at his home in Rotherham.<\/p>\n
On Monday, July 13, Counter Terrorism police took over the investigation saying that decision was based on new information that came to light.<\/p>\n
He was then also arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism.<\/p>\n
Charge![\"Joshua](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0_Joshua-Kerry-28-has-been-charged-with-Ann-Widdecombes-murderJPG.jpg\")
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Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with Ann Widdecombe’s murder<\/p>\n
On Monday, July 20, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced its decision to prosecute Kerry for murder following Ms Widdecombe\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
At the time, Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division said: \u201cWe have decided to prosecute Joshua Kerry for murder following a police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor, Dartmoor.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolice enquiries into the defendant’s motives are ongoing, including a potential political or terrorist connection.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur prosecutors have worked closely with the police to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court, and we will continue working with them as their investigation progresses.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.\u201d<\/p>\n
Inquest<\/p>\n
An inquest into Ms Widdecombe\u2019s death was opened in Exeter <\/a>on Tuesday, July 21.<\/p>\n Philip Spinney, senior coroner for Devon, said Ms Widdecombe was found on July 9 at her property, Widdecombe’s Rest. She was pronounced dead at 12.20pm.<\/p>\n The circumstances were said to be that concerns were raised that she was uncontactable so an employee who was due at her home address in Haytor Vale was asked to conduct a welfare check.<\/p>\n She was found to be unresponsive and with visible injuries.<\/p>\n Emergency services were called and she was declared deceased at the scene.<\/p>\n A post-mortem took place and at that time, the inquest heard that precise cause of death had not been established.<\/p>\n Mr Spinney concluded by saying that for the police ‘this has been and continues to be an intensive and complex investigation’.<\/p>\n The coroner adjourned the inquest until the conclusion of ongoing criminal proceedings.<\/p>\n Kerry\u2019s court appearance Court artist sketch of Joshua Kerry, 28, appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court(Image: Elizabeth Cook\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n Joshua Kerry appeared at Westminster Magistrates\u2019 Court on Tuesday, July 21 charged with the murder of Ms Widdecombe.<\/p>\n The case was then heard at the Old Bailey where Kerry was remanded in custody.<\/p>\n Prosecutor Alistair Richardson told the court that before his arrest, Kerry was living in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, 265 miles from Widdecombe\u2019s Devon address.<\/p>\n Kerry will next appear at the same court on October 9 for a case management hearing before a further plea and trial preparation hearing on November 20.<\/p>\n A provisional trial date was listed for June 8 2027.<\/p>\n Kashif Malik, prosecuting, said that on July 8, Ms Widdecombe did not attend a pre-arranged online interview just before 1pm, which would have been aired live on Channel 5\u2019s Matt Allwright show.<\/p>\n The show\u2019s production team tried to contact Ms Widdecombe through her personal assistant, who then asked the family gardener to check on her, the court heard.<\/p>\n Prosecutors said he found the politician lying face down on her kitchen floor with a serious head injury the next day, July 9.<\/p>\n It was heard that a hammer was allegedly used to hit Ms Widdecombe on the top of her head 21 times.<\/p>\n A provisional cause of death was given as a blunt force injury to the head, the court heard.<\/p>\n Memorial<\/p>\n Ms Widdecombe\u2019s family has confirmed that a public memorial will be held for her later this year.<\/p>\n On Monday July 27, it was reported that Ms Widdecombe’s family has continued with funeral preparations, coordinating with Buckfast Abbey <\/a>, the place of worship where she regularly attended.<\/p>\n In a statement on Sunday, July 26, Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community of Buckfast issued a statement confirming they “continue to hold Ann Widdecombe, her family and loved ones in our prayers during this difficult time”<\/p>\n In a statement released on Sunday Fr Abbot confirmed the church was working “closely with the family regarding funeral arrangements” and would provide additional details “in due course, when appropriate”.<\/p>\n MPs demand full-time security guards<\/p>\n MPs from across the South West are among those leading calls for urgent, increased security <\/a>following Ms Widdecombe’s death.<\/p>\n![\"Court](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0_Anne-Widdecombe-death.jpg\")
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