ANU academic Jacky Sutton 'was not murdered': family

The family of Australian National University academic Jacky Sutton, who died in a Turkish airport on Sunday en-route to Erbil in Kurdish-controlled Iraq, say they do not believe she was murdered.

Jacky Sutton Source: Facebook

In a statement released via the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, where Ms Sutton was the acting Iraq director, her family said they were "Satisfied with the investigation undertaken by the Turkish authorities."

"We were deeply sceptical about initial reports," said Jacky's sister Jenny Sutton.

"But based on the evidence we have seen, at this stage we believe that Jacky acted alone.

"The Turkish authorities have cooperated fully and provided access to the complete dossier of evidence relating to the case, including copies of the CCTV images and all documentation."

The 50-year-old was carrying out work as the acting Iraq country director for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR).

Turkey’s state media said the former UN official was found hanged in a restroom at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, citing Istanbul police.

Turkish media reports suggested the death was triggered by Sutton's distress at missing her connecting flight and her lack of funds to buy another ticket.

CCTV footage widely circulated in the media and purportedly of Sutton's last moments, showed a woman in a purple jacket and wearing a rucksack, walking through the crowded airport, clutching a shopping bag and not obviously distressed.

The family's statement said the CCTV footage, combined with the lack of any evidence that Ms Sutton had been robbed after her death led them to believe she had committed suicide.

Second IWPR Iraq country director to die

Ms Sutton had flown to Istanbul from London last week to attend a funeral for her predecessor at the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, Ammar Al Shahbander.

He was killed with 16 others in a car bomb in Baghdad.

Anthony Borden, executive director at the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, said the news of the death is shocking. 

"Jacky was one of the top development professionals working on Iraq, and she devoted nearly 10 years of her life to helping the country," he said in a statement.

"She was extremely bright, highly competent, and well able to handle herself in difficult environments, and she was universally loved."

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

- with Reuters