Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleA murder investigation has been launched following the suspicious death of 78-year-old Ann Widdecombe at her home on Dartmoor in Devon. Police were called to an address at Haytor by the ambulance service on Thursday 9 July at approximately 11.40am, where Widdecombe’s body was found with serious injuries. Detectives from Devon and Cornwall Police’s force major crime investigation team are conducting extensive enquiries, including forensic examinations at the cordoned-off property and house-to-house and CCTV checks in the area. Detective chief inspector Ilona Rosson confirmed the investigation is in its early stages but progressing rapidly, with police actively seeking a white male suspect. Authorities are appealing for public assistance, urging anyone with information, particularly CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage from the Haytor Vale vicinity, to contact them via a dedicated public portal, 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers. In fullAnn Widdecombe death investigation latest: Police probe circumstances of former Tory minister’s death aged 78More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Officers found the former Conservative prisons minister with 'serious injuries' after an ambulance crew called them to her house in Haytor, Dartmoor at 11.40am yesterday.

Police are today understood to be investigating the circumstances surrounding Ann Widdecombe's death.