Police launch an investigation into Ann Widdecombe death

Really tragic, the poor woman.

Haytor, the place she lived in Dartmoor, is it particularly rural? I wonder if she had an alarm and security?

So sad.

Plunger

Cumbrianmale56

I have never read so many hate filled posts than ones I saw about Ann Widdecombe on X and Digital Spy. Yes she didn't agree with gay marriage, she was deeply religious, she held views that seemed outdated, but so do millions of other people. There is no way a 78 year old woman deserved to die in this way.

Totally agree. The Socialist Worker also posted an aborant headline ( now removed ) and Peter Tatchell. I find that the far left are spiteful and full of hate for anyone who does not agree with their views. They start slinging insults instead of entering into an adult debate. You may not agree with Ann Widdecombe's views but show respect.

I saw that. Absolutely disgusting.

There was a truly disgusting and disgraceful post from a member of the Green Party. I have never read anything like it and the person involved should be jailed in my opinion. Remember Lucy Connolly was sent to prison for (I think) 2 years for her comments which she removed very shortly after posting. This Green Party woman is absolutely toxic.

Cumbrianmale56

I have never read so many hate filled posts than ones I saw about Ann Widdecombe on X and Digital Spy. Yes she didn't agree with gay marriage, she was deeply religious, she held views that seemed outdated, but so do millions of other people. There is no way a 78 year old woman deserved to die in this way.

Totally agree. The Socialist Worker also posted an aborant headline ( now removed ) and Peter Tatchell. I find that the far left are spiteful and full of hate for anyone who does not agree with their views. They start slinging insults instead of entering into an adult debate. You may not agree with Ann Widdecombe's views but show respect.

Dreadful news!
Let's hope the police get to the truth as soon as possible.
May she rest in peace

There is no way a 78 year old woman deserved to die in this way.

That is indeed true. But those whom she harmed with her views and actions are bound to be speaking up, even though they will I am sure also abhor the manner of her death.

Social media is a blunt tool and people often express themselves more crudely than they might in real life. That is unfortunate, but some of her pronouncements hurt whole communities, especially the young.

Cumbrianmale56

I have never read so many hate filled posts than ones I saw about Ann Widdecombe on X and Digital Spy. Yes she didn't agree with gay marriage, she was deeply religious, she held views that seemed outdated, but so do millions of other people. There is no way a 78 year old woman deserved to die in this way.

I don't read either X or Digital spy but I can believe people to be very nasty because her views aren't the
same as theirs.
She has died a terrible and frightening death and if people don't like her they should say nothing. Spite at this time is inhumane.

Cumbrianmale56

I have never read so many hate filled posts than ones I saw about Ann Widdecombe on X and Digital Spy. Yes she didn't agree with gay marriage, she was deeply religious, she held views that seemed outdated, but so do millions of other people. There is no way a 78 year old woman deserved to die in this way.

The reason I don’t go on other social media sites is because of hate filled posts.
Of course her family will not be looking at such dreadful remarks thank goodness.

I have never read so many hate filled posts than ones I saw about Ann Widdecombe on X and Digital Spy. Yes she didn't agree with gay marriage, she was deeply religious, she held views that seemed outdated, but so do millions of other people. There is no way a 78 year old woman deserved to die in this way.

I'm sure we will get to know more as time goes on. Hopefully they will find the culprit soon.

I would not be quick to criticise the police. I am sure they acted in good faith and were continuing with investigations while this man was in custody. If suspicion fell on him then they had to act. What a mess it all is. A very nasty incident.

The announcement of her death was a shock but I'm stunned at this news .

Strange that this individual was arrested rather than just being questioned. I can only imagine that he ran from the police/resisted their attempts to question him, or initially confessed - and some people will do this to draw attention to themselves - and then was discovered to be a fantasist. I doubt that hard evidence was present or he would not have been released.
Whatever the case the police have lost precious time and the murderer could be long gone. Just hoping they can get the culprit soon for the sake of the family and those fearing that a cold blooded murderer is on the loose.

Yes ... he's been released. Very worrying that a violent person is on the loose.

MissAdventure

Certainly fast police work

There's already much criticism of the police here in Devon over their handling of this arrest.

I really hope they find the person fast. Such dreadful news. RIP

Thanks eazybee, and he is no longer part of the investigation..

Apparently the suspect has been released, news within the last few minutes.

The incident is not being treated as terrorism and there is "no information" to suggest it was politically motivated.

Not speculating but quoting the fact the vast majority of murders are committed by someone known to the victim. A very small minority are committed by strangers.

ferry23

Wyllow3

The incident is not being treated as terrorism or politically motivated, they add

some personal/family grudge....?

They also asked that people don't speculate.

I think it is important to have ruled out terrorism and political motivation actually and say so.

I hardly think it will disrupt the progress of the case if a gransnet poster ponders briefly, not erecting some grand theory.

Yes ... well done the police. I had been worrying about my sibling's safety and that of all the locals. A truly dreadful thing to happen. Many of us are women living alone ...

Certainly fast police work

She was a courageous woman, but small and elderly,easy to overwhelm.What an appalling thing to happen.

A 26 year old white male has been arrested.

It's shocking.

Just terrible. To think she lost her life in her own home in such a violent way is heartbreaking. May she RIP.

They've arrested a twenty six year old british national man.