Ann Widdecombe murder case and family announces public memorial

Former British MP and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor, Dartmoor, Devon on 9 July 2026 with serious head injuries. Prosecutors allege 28‑year‑old Joshua Kerry of Rotherham entered the house on 8 July, struck Widdecombe 21 times on the head with a hammer, and stole her wallet. Kerry appeared in Westminster Magistrates' Court and was remanded to the Old Bailey, where a provisional cause of death was recorded as blunt‑force injury to the head. Detectives are investigating whether the killing had a political or terrorist motive. Widdecombe’s family issued a statement saying a private funeral for relatives will be held soon, followed by a larger public memorial later in the year, and asked the public to respect their privacy during the private service.