A British woman has been found dead in Istanbul, although circumstances as to how she died are currently unclear.
Journalist and student, Jacqueline Sutton, known as Jacky, was reportedly found dead at Istanbul airport.
She previously worked for the BBC and United Nations and was a student studying for her PhD, where she was researching international development support to female media professionals in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2003 and 2013.
Ms Sutton, 50, was reportedly due to catch a flight to Erbil in Iraq, where she was carrying out field work for her studies. It is thought she had flown from London to Ataturk Airport, in Istanbul, on Saturday night (October 17).
It is not yet known how Ms Sutton died. Friends have questioned Turkish media reports that Ms Sutton killed herself after missing a connecting flight to Erbil and not having the money to buy another ticket.
Rebecca Cooke told the Press Association: “Shocking and sad news about the death of Jacky Sutton in Istanbul. An international, not just local investigation is needed.”
Tributes have also been paid by Ms Sutton’s colleagues. Professor Amin Saikal the director of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies at the Australian National University, where Ms Sutton was studying, said staff were “deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic death of one of its brilliant PhD students.
According to the BBC, he said: “She was not only an outstanding research scholar, but a highly valued friend and colleague who made remarkable contributions to the work and activities of the centre.”
The Foreign Office confirmed it is providing consular assistance to Ms Sutton’s family.
Additional reporting by the Press Association.
