ANN Widdecombe was attacked 24 hours before her body was found, the police have said.
The police have said that the prime suspect is a white male and that "enquires are moving at pace".
Assistant chief Constable Matt Longman said Widdecombe’s death is being treated as suspicious but “we do not believe there is a wider risk to the public”. It is not believed to have been politically motivated and the police do not believe the incident is terror related.
Longman said: “We believe the attack took place on Wednesday July 8 at around 12.30pm.
“Our inquiries are moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male.”
The former Conservative prisons minister was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries.
He previously urged people who may have information to contact the police, but warned of misinformation.
“I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us," he said.
“We will release further information when we are able to do so. In the meantime, I would ask people not to speculate about what might have happened, particularly on social media.
“This is not only potentially harmful to our investigation but also deeply distressing for family and friends of Miss Widdecombe. The family have also asked for their privacy to be respected as they come to terms with what has happened.
“We have set up a Major Incident Public Portal for information, images or footage to be submitted to us. This can be found on our website.
“Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers.”
