A coroner’s court revealed today that the specific medical cause of Ann Widdecombe’s death is still unknown. The court session disclosed that the former Cabinet Minister and spokesperson for Reform UK was discovered deceased in her secluded bungalow on July 9 after concerns were raised about her well-being.
During the hearing at County Hall in Exeter, Senior Devon Coroner Philip Spinney shared details from a written statement by a coroner’s officer. It was mentioned that an employee, prompted by the inability to contact Ms. Widdecombe, found her unresponsive with visible injuries at her residence. Despite efforts by emergency services, she was pronounced dead at the scene, with the exact cause of death pending further investigation.
According to Mr. Spinney, Ann Widdecombe, who was single and born in Bath, resided at Widdecombe’s Rest in Haytor Vale, the location where she was discovered deceased. He acknowledged the ongoing thorough investigation by the police and announced the suspension of the inquest until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings against a 28-year-old individual facing charges for Ms. Widdecombe’s murder.
Expressing condolences to the family of the deceased, Mr. Spinney highlighted the impact of the loss on loved ones. Meanwhile, the suspect, Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorks, is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court today in connection with the case. Kerry, previously employed as an office administrator, was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11.
The tragic incident occurred on July 8, just before Ms. Widdecombe was scheduled to participate in a video call for Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show. Despite last contacting a producer at 12.19pm, she did not respond to a subsequent text at 12.48pm.