Ann Widdecombe’s cause of death is yet to be established, the opening of an inquest into her death has heard.
The former MP and MEP was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on 9 July, having suffered “visible injuries”, a brief hearing at Exeter Coroner’s Court heard on Tuesday.
Philip Spinney, senior coroner for the county of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, said Widdecombe was found unresponsive by an employee after concerns were raised because she was “uncontactable”.
Emergency services were called to the house, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with her murder.
Kerry, who has been remanded into custody, was first arrested on suspicion of murder on 11 July, two days after Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Devon.
Two days after he was arrested for murder, Kerry was additionally arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, but he has not been charged with this offence.
During the inquest opening on Tuesday, Mr Spinney said: “Concerns were raised that Widdecombe was uncontactable so an employee who was due at her home address was asked to carry out a welfare check.
“Widdecombe was located within her property. She was found to be unresponsive with visible injuries. The emergency services were called and she was sadly declared deceased at the scene.
“A post mortem examination has taken place and at this stage the precise medical cause of death has yet to be established.”
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