Ann Widdecombe’s exact cause of death is still under investigation, according to a coroner’s court statement today.
During a brief session at County Hall in Exeter, Senior Devon Coroner Philip Spinney shared details from a written report by a coroner’s officer. The report indicated that concerns about Widdecombe’s well-being prompted an employee to check on her at her rural residence on July 9. Tragically, she was discovered unresponsive with visible injuries. Despite efforts by emergency services, she was pronounced dead at the scene. A postmortem examination has been conducted, but the specific medical reason for her death remains unknown at this time.
Philip Spinney disclosed that Widdecombe, a single woman born in Bath, resided at Widdecombe’s Rest in Haytor Vale, the same location where she was found deceased. He acknowledged the ongoing rigorous investigation by the police into her death and mentioned that a 28-year-old man is set to appear in court on charges related to Widdecombe’s murder, prompting a suspension of the inquest until the criminal proceedings conclude.
Expressing condolences to Widdecombe’s family, Spinney emphasized the impact of her loss on those who cared for her and the community at large.
Meanwhile, the suspect, Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is scheduled to face charges in Westminster Magistrates Court today. Kerry, reportedly unemployed since his previous role as an office administrator two years ago, was arrested on suspicion of Widdecombe’s murder on July 11.
Widdecombe tragically passed away in her residence on July 8, just before a scheduled appearance on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show via video call. Despite last contacting a producer at 12.19pm, she did not respond to a text message at 12.48pm, leading to the discovery of the tragic event.