 Inquest set to begin in 2003 drowning of Helena woman
An Australian inquest into the 2003 drowning death of a Helena woman will begin Nov. 19.
Helena Police Sgt. Brad Flynn, the lead American investigator in the case, said he will depart for Townsville in Queensland, Australia, Nov. 12 to testify at the coronial court, which is looking into the death of Christina "Tina" Thomas Watson.
Watson died Oct. 22, 2003, during a group scuba diving expedition off the coast of Queensland. The 26-year-old Helena woman had married Gabe Watson of Hoover 11 days earlier and was on her honeymoon.
An autopsy and tests conducted in Australia determined that Watson drowned, but how she drowned remains unknown.
According to a report in The Townsville Bulletin, Gabe Watson's Australian attorney has notified court officials that Watson will not attend the inquest.
A coronial court is similar to an American grand jury, but conducted by a coroner to determine how someone died and if evidence presented warrants continuing the investigation, Flynn said.
"The coroner will say `the investigation is over,' or ask that it continue or will rule for a trial," Flynn said.
More than 80 interviews were conducted over the past four years concerning Tina Watson's death.
It's expected at least 65 witnesses from around the world will testify during the inquest, either in person or by phone, Flynn said.
Detectives Scott Knowles and Gary Campbell with the Queensland Police Service describe Gabe Watson as a witness in his wife's death. They conducted more than 25 interviews while in the Birmingham area in April.
On April 24, Watson's Hoover home was searched by those officers, FBI agents and police from Helena and Hoover.
Documents and a computer were among the items removed from the Oak Leaf Circle home.
The Australian officers also met with Watson and his attorney in a 2½-hour interview and called the meeting "satisfactory."
Knowles and Campbell prepared the report of their findings that now goes before the Australian coroner.
Tommy and Cindy Thomas of Helena, Tina's parents, will make their third trip to Australia since their daughter's death to attend the inquest.
"It's been four years, and we see this as the first step in bringing an end to this ordeal," Tommy Thomas said.
(Birmingham News) | 
Linear Mode
