New look at woman's death

The brother and mother of a Cambridge woman thought to have died of cyanide poisoning are backing a police decision to further investigate her death.

Deborah Margaret Fryer, 47, was found dead in her bed by her husband in March.

The death was not considered suspicious and was referred to the coroner, but police have decided to re-examine the case after concerns raised by several people, including a Cambridge detective.

Mrs Fryer's brother, Peter Langley, said he and his mother, Madge Langley, supported the decision.

"We want the police to do their investigation and then we want closure," he told the Weekend Herald.

Mr Langley said the death of his only sibling had hit him hard.

"I'm totally gutted," he said.

Mrs Langley, 84, said she found it difficult to believe her daughter's death was self-inflicted.

"She was quite happy," she said.

Mrs Fryer's husband, Gavin Fryer, was yesterday at the Thompson St home he shared with his wife but did not wish to comment.

"I'm waiting for my lawyer," he said. "I've been instructed not to talk to anyone, sorry."

This week, he told the Waikato Times the initial police inquiry was slap-hazard. "They presumably got a slap on the hand by the coroner and told to do their job properly."

Detective Inspector Peter Devoy of Hamilton said initial investigations indicated Mrs Fryer had died of cyanide poisoning. The decision to re-examine the case came after several people told police she had been in a positive state of mind before she died.

Among those who had concerns was Cambridge detective Scott McDougall, who spoke to Mrs Fryer a week before her death and said she was in good spirits.

She had asked him for a character reference for her husband, saying they were considering moving to Australia and were looking forward to the future.

Mr Devoy said the re-investigation would focus on clarifying Mrs Fryer's mental state before she died.

He said no one was under suspicion and it was not a homicide investigation.

Neighbours told the Weekend Herald that Mrs Fryer was friendly, but was on pain medication and drank heavily.

"Debbie always had a lot of drama going on in her life," said one woman, who did not want to be named.

Mrs Fryer broke her back in a sky-diving accident several years ago and still suffered pain from the injury.

She met her husband, an engineer, through mutual friends and they were married for nine years.

He is a director of two companies, Ocel NZ Ltd and AussieNZ Ltd.

Mr Fryer, who is Australian, was described by a neighbour as "very patriotic".

An Australian flag flies at the home he shared with his wife.

* Anyone with information is asked to contact Cambridge police on (07) 827-5531.