A Christchurch medical researcher has died in a suspected suicide after police investigated claims she poisoned her ex-partner.
Epidemiologist and diabetes researcher, Dr Shelagh Dawson, 60, died at her Richmond home six weeks ago, Stuff reports.
Before her death, police had questioned her about her now ex-partner, who collapsed at their home three times last year.
He was rushed to hospital and tests showed his blood contained five different types of prescription medication.
All five of the drugs were found in a "large stash" at Dawson's, Stuff reports.
The drugs were prescribed to her by her own doctor for conditions she claimed to have.
The Medical Council of New Zealand is now investigating this, Stuff reports.
After her partner was discharged from hospital, police discovered Dawson had taken out a $350,000 insurance policy on his life.
They had been together for around three years before splitting last year.
Dawson was interviewed by police twice before her death.
She was also being investigated over benefit fraud by ACC and another agency, Stuff reports.
Her partner's symptoms were almost identical to those suffered by Dawson's first husband, Graham Edward Dawson, 54, before he died in 2009.
Graham Dawson's insurance company paid out Ms Dawson $350,000, Stuff reports.
She also claimed a widow's pension from England. The couple were married for 32 years.
Police declined to comment on the investigation.
Dawson's former partner also declined to comment when approached by Stuff.
Dawson's case was still active and investigations were ongoing, a spokesperson for the coroner's office told Stuff.
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