TOWNSVILLE, Australia (19 Apr 2006) -- It's been 2-and-a-half years since Tommy Thomas gave away his daughter. And it would be the last time he'd see the blushing bride alive. Christina Watson died days later while scuba diving during her Honeymoon in Australia. Now some 16-thousand miles away the Helena Police Department is stepping in to help. Sgt. Brad Flynn says the Townsville medical examiner has ruled cause of death as a drowning. But he says the Australian authorities have some questions of how she drowned. And that's the reason for the investigation. Tommy Thomas says his daughter had just completed an open-water diving certification class. And investigators say Watson wasn't alone during her fatal October 2003 dive. She was with her new husband, an accomplished diver, and a tour group from their boat. But tracking down those witnesses has been difficult as most have scattered around the globe. Australia will not pay to send the chief investigator overseas to conduct interviews, instead relying on local police agencies like Helena to conduct interviews. And that, says Sgt. Flynn, just doesn't work. Helena has offered to offset the investigators travel and expenses. The departments willing pay as much as $3.000 dollars. | INVESTIGATION: Townsville police question passengers, crew onboard Mike Ball 'Spoil Sport' in 2003 after Tina Watson died on the Yongala wreck. "We're trying to express to the police service in Australia that we want to assist you and let your investigator come here and complete his case. We don't feel comfortable with other detectives that do not have the knowledge of this case doing these interviews." And Tommy Thomas says enough time has passed and he wants this investigation concluded. "We feel the best people to interview the witnesses here would be the actual investigators on the case." SOURCE - WIATSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum | 
