Inquest Opens into Death of Former MP Ann Widdecombe; Murder Charge Filed
Quick Look
- An inquest has opened into the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe, 78, who was found with visible injuries at her Devon home on July 9.
- The precise medical cause of death is yet to be established.
- Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with her murder, and the inquest is adjourned pending criminal proceedings.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
An inquest has been opened into the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe, who was found dead at her home in Devon on July 9 with visible injuries. A post-mortem examination has taken place, but the precise medical cause of death is yet to be established.
The cause of Ann Widdecombe's death is yet to be established, the opening of an inquest into her death has heard.
The 78-year-old former MP and MEP was found dead at her home in Devon on 9 July with "visible injuries" Exeter Coroner's Court heard.
Senior coroner Philip Spinney said a post-mortem examination had taken place and "at this stage the precise medical cause of death has yet to be established".
Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, has arrived at Westminister Magistrates' Court where he is due to appear charged with her murder.
Spinney, senior coroner for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, said the inquest was now adjourned "until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings".
Widdecombe was found unresponsive in her home by an employee who carried out a welfare check due to her being "uncontactable", the hearing heard.
Emergency services were called, but she was pronounced dead at 12:20 BST on Thursday, 9 July.
Kerry was first arrested on suspicion of murder two days after former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman, Widdecombe, 78, was found with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, Devon.
He was later re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
The investigation, which remains ongoing, has been led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East, supported by Devon and Cornwall Police.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Joshua Kerry will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with murder.
Very likely · Within days
The inquest into Ann Widdecombe's death will remain adjourned.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What is the precise medical cause of Ann Widdecombe's death?
- What is the motive behind the alleged murder?
- What is the outcome of the criminal proceedings against Joshua Kerry?
