NZ diplomat killed herself 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
Investigation finds NZ diplomat accidentally killed herself
The Solomon Islands police commissioner says investigations by Solomon Islands and New Zealand police have concluded that a New Zealand diplomat, who died of a stab wound to the heart in Honiara in March, accidentally killed herself.
The police commissioner and the head of the New Zealand Foreign Affairs Department have both issued statements saying the full facts should come out before an inquiry by a magistrate next month.
New Zealand's deputy high commissioner to Solomon Islands, Bridget Nichols, 50, was found dead inside the New Zealand compound in Honiara in March.
It appeared she had been stabbed to death.
New Zealand rushed a team of detectives to investigate but although many people were questioned nobody was charged and the cause of death seemed baffling.
In statements released simultaneously today, the Solomon Islands police commissioner, Moreton Sireheti, and New Zealand's Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Neil Walter, say that from the available evidence it appears to have been an accidental death.
They say the full story will be told at an inquiry next month.
"I understand that the explanation may be that Ms Nichols was moving heavy boxes when she stumbled and a kitchen knife she had in a string bag hung around her neck was driven into her heart," Mr Walter said.
Submitted on 05/14/2002
Submitted by:
Bevan Brown
Reference:
www.abc.net.au/news/ 15may02
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