Mystery deepens, cops say Woolmer death suspicious

With the cricket world still struggling to come to terms with the death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer hours after the team crashed out of the World Cup

With the cricket world still struggling to come to terms with the death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer hours after the team crashed out of the World Cup, the mystery over his death deepened today with the Jamaican police declaring that the end was “suspicious” and needed “full investigation”.

In a statement, Mark Shields, Deputy Commissioner of the Jamaican Constabulary Force, said: “The autopsy report was inconclusive on the cause of the death. Having met with the pathologists and other medical personnel, there is sufficient information to continue a full investigation into the circumstances of Woolmer’s death which is now being treated as suspicious.”

“We have already informed the Woolmer family of this development and we are also in close contact with the Pakistan team management, Cricket World Cup and the ICC to ensure all parties are kept informed of the ongoing investigation.”

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When he was asked if it could be murder — Pakistan’s Geo TV had talked of “poisoning” — Shields said “we are not saying that. We still do not have the official final report from the pathologist. We will update you on any further findings tomorrow.”

Pakistan team media manager Pervez Mir said: “ They say it is suspicious death, even now they are not conclusive. Suspicious does not mean absolutely and totally negative.”

Late tonight, a forensic team went to Woolmer’s room and, after spending two hours, took away “a few things”.

Meanwhile, Woolmer’s widow Gill has ruled the possibility of foul play, rubbishing reports that match-fixing may have anything to do with her husband’s death.

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“No, I don’t see any conspiracy in his death. I am aware that his death is being viewed as a suspicious death. He had nothing to do with the match fixing controversy and any such person being involved is highly unlikely. We never got any threats as far as I know,” Gill told NDTV.

She also rejected reports that Woolmer may have died of a drug and alcohol overdose, saying her husband was not taking any drug other than those prescribed by the doctors. “He had type 2 diabetes. He was not prescribed any drugs for it. All those reports about drinking are also rubbish. He was taking prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and that is it,” she said.

Gill said she received an e-mail from her husband after the match in which he admitted that he was “depressed” after the shocking loss to Ireland.