British police said they believe former minister and Reform UK politician Ann Widdecombe was attacked approximately 24 hours before she was found dead at her home on Thursday morning.
Devon and Cornwall Police said in an update published on their website on Saturday that investigations were "progressing rapidly to identify a suspect believed to be a man of European appearance."
They added: "We believe the attack took place on Wednesday, 8 July at around 12:30 p.m.," according to Bloomberg News.
Police said a 26-year-old man who had been arrested on Friday on suspicion of murder has since been released and is no longer part of the investigation.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman had said earlier that the incident was not being treated as an act of terrorism, and that police had no information suggesting any political motive behind it.
Police appealed to members of the public to provide any information, photographs, or video footage relating to the attack.
Widdecombe, 78, who had appeared in media interviews on Wednesday, was found dead by ambulance services at her home in Devon on Thursday morning. Police said she had sustained serious injuries and opened a murder investigation. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood called on the public to avoid speculation and allow the investigation to proceed.