Ann Widdecombe, a 78-year-old former government minister and Member of Parliament, was found dead in her home in rural south-west England. She had suffered serious injuries and is believed to have been attacked a full day before her body was discovered.
Devon and Cornwall Police stated that detectives are working at a significant pace to find the killer. Authorities believe there is no risk to the public and have found no information to suggest the murder was related to terrorism or had a political motive.
A 28-year-old white British national was arrested in South Yorkshire on suspicion of the murder and remains in police custody. Meanwhile, a 26-year-old white British man previously arrested in connection with the killing has been released and is no longer part of the investigation. Police have urged anyone with information about the crime to come forward.