Police re-open investigation into Cambridge woman's death

The case of a Cambridge woman found dead in her bed in March has been reopened by police, who are appealing to members of the public for information.

Deborah Fryer, 47, of Leamington, was found by her husband on March 16.

Police initially said the death was not suspicious and referred the matter for a coroner's inquest in July.

However, Detective Scott McDougall, who was away from the station when Mrs Fryer died, asked for the inquest to be deferred and reopened the case when he returned.

Mr McDougall told NZPA today he had spoken with Mrs Fryer a week before she died regarding a reference for her husband, and said she was in good spirits.

She was full of plans for her approaching move to Australia with her husband.

He said he had not known Mrs Fryer personally but they had a lengthy phone call -- of about 25 minutes -- and said she was full of enthusiasm for life and her plans.

He said he was "totally shocked" to hear that her death may have been self-inflicted.

Her friends and husband had spent her last evening with her, and had all said nothing seemed amiss.

Since re-opening the case, police had spoken to a number of other people who also testified to Mrs Fryer's good spirits.

Mr McDougall said it was not a homicide investigation -- the police were simply trying to further establish the facts.

He appealed to anyone who had contact with Mrs Fryer in the weeks leading up to her death to get in touch with Cambridge police.

- NZPA