INVESTIGATORS are set to reopen the case of a mother who died in Australia to see if she was murdered.

Mother of two Angela Reads was found dead in a river in 2000 but after a botched investigation a coroner ruled he could not be certain whether she committed suicide or was killed.

Angela's mother Pat Tompkins, of Saltdean, has remained convinced her daughter was murdered and after a 15-year battle for justice has finally been told the Australian High Commission will look again at her case.

Miss Tompkins told The Argus: "If she had died from a tragedy or a crash or a disease I might think I couldn't be helped.

"But for as long as I am able I will keep fighting for the truth."

The Australian pathologist who carried out Angela's post-mortem examination originally concluded there were no suspicious circumstances to her death and her body was cremated five days after it was found

But Miss Tompkins refused to believe her lively artist daughter had killer herself, campaigning for further investigation resulting in an inquest.

In 2002 coroner in New South Wales recorded an open verdict - saying he could not be certain whether she drowned accidentally, took her own life or met foul play.

State coroner John Abernethy recommended that all further suspicious deaths should be sent to the state capital Newcastle or Sydney for inquest and warned police not to presume suicide.

Now after a further 15 years of Miss Tompkin's tireless fight, there is hope on the horizon for justice.

She met the Australian High Commissioner in London in London and now has been promised that the case will be reinvestigated.

"It hurts, still hurts me right here," she said clutching her chest.

Not only has Miss Tompkins lost her daughter - she has now not seen her now grown up grandchildren Rosabella and Shaun - since they were babies.

"I need justice for Ange, I brought her into this world and can't rest until I do my best for her.

"And those children need justice too.

"They need to know their mother would never have left them."

A large self-portrait painted by Angela hangs next to the front door in her mother's hallway.

"She hated that painting and wanted to throw it away, but every thing she touched is now so precious," she said.

"I say goodnight to her every night."