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The death of former BBC journalist Jacky Sutton, who was found hanged in a toilet cubicle in Istanbul, is being treated as suspicious.

Friends and colleagues had called for an international investigation into Ms Sutton's death after she was found at Ataturk airport on Saturday.

Many believe it is unlikely the 50-year-old took her own life after Turkish media reported she appeared 'distressed' because she was unable to buy a new ticket after missing a flight to Erbil.

Now, a police officer has disputed the official version of events after he revealed there is no certainty her death was a suicide and that 2,300 euros was in her bag.

He told the Daily Mail: "We are not certain that it is a suicide. Her death is still being investigated. It’s suspicious.

Why would somebody who was found with thousands of euros kill themselves because they had no money? A Turkish police source

"Why would somebody who was found with thousands of euros kill themselves because they had no money?

"And she looks calm in all of the footage."

CCTV footage of Ms Sutton's last movements has been shown by Turkish media as she walks through the airport wearing jeans, a blue jacket and trainers, and is carrying a red rucksack as well as a smaller handbag.

The Hertfordshire-born international development worker had been working as the Iraq director of London-based charity the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), which promotes journalism in conflict zones.

Britain's Foreign Office said it was "providing assistance to the family of Jacqueline Sutton at this difficult time".

Former co-workers and those close to Ms Sutton immediately poured scorn on the idea that she may have taken her own life.

Vanessa Farr, who worked with Ms Sutton at the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, said: "None of us believes she took her own life.

"But all of us know she was attracting negative attention for her absolute refusal, before UN officials, politicians and warlords alike, to stay silent in the face of what she was witnessing women suffer."

Friend Amanda Whitely posted a tribute in a blog, which included an email extract in which Ms Sutton said she was worried Islamic State fighters would attack.

Anthony Borden, executive director of the Institute for War and Peace, added: "We need more facts."

"Clearly there would have been no issue (with money).

"It's really inconceivable. We change tickets all the time."

Additional reporting by the Associated Press