Snake venom theory is ‘hogwash’

Even as the body of slain Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer was finally released by a coroner, to be returned to his South African homeland...

Even as the body of slain Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer was finally released by a coroner, to be returned to his South African homeland, a Jamaican police official has dismissed reports that snake venom might have killed Woolmer as “hogwash”.

Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Shields is working with a funeral home to repatriate the body as soon as possible, a statement from Jamaica’s National Security Ministry said on Monday. It did not mention the timing of the body’s release.

A coroner’s inquest scheduled to begin Monday was postponed indefinitely because of undisclosed developments in the case.

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Meanwhile, the police officer told the Jamaica Observer that forensic experts had found a poisonous substance in Woolmer’s body but said “the snake venom theory is hogwash”.

“All I can say is that a substance was definitely found and it has been sent back for further analysis,” said the police source who declined to be named.

Officials were mum on whether or not they were close to naming a suspect or making an arrest for the high-profile murder. They also rubbished speculation that the fingerprint of a Pakistani player was found on Woolmer’s wrist.

“The investigation is progressing. I know nothing of a fingerprint,” the highly-placed police source was quoted as saying by the paper.