Ann Widdecombe’s specific cause of death is still under investigation, as revealed in a coroner’s court session today.

During the brief hearing at County Hall in Exeter, it was disclosed that the former Cabinet Minister and Reform UK spokesperson was discovered deceased in her secluded bungalow on July 9 after worries were raised about her well-being.

Senior Devon Coroner Philip Spinney, presiding over the session, shared details from a statement by a coroner’s officer, stating that concerns about Widdecombe’s whereabouts led to an employee checking on her, eventually finding her unresponsive with visible injuries. Despite efforts by emergency services, she was pronounced dead at the scene. A postmortem examination has been conducted, but the precise medical cause of death remains unknown.

Philip Spinney mentioned that the deceased was single, born in Bath, and resided at Widdecombe’s Rest in Haytor Vale, where she was found deceased at 12.20 pm on July 9. He noted an ongoing intensive investigation by the police, with a 28-year-old man set to appear in court charged with her murder shortly after the hearing.

Expressing condolences to Widdecombe’s family, Spinney acknowledged her significant impact and the grief felt by those who knew her well.

In related news, the suspect, Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court today after being charged with the murder of the former MP. Kerry, reportedly unemployed since his previous role as an office administrator two years ago, was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11.

The tragic incident occurred on July 8, just before Widdecombe’s scheduled appearance on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show via video call. Despite last messaging a producer at 12.19 pm, she failed to respond to a text sent at 12.48 pm.