Woolmer murdered: Jamaican police sources
Wednesday, March 21, 2007 07:24:51 am
Senior sources in Jamaican police have confirmed to TIMES NOW that Pakistan team coach Bob Woolmer did not die a natural death but was murdered.
The news, which first leaked out to the press in Pakistan, has not been explicitly confirmed by Jamaican police, who have taken a guarded line merely stating that there is a "bit of suspicion" in the circumstances of Woolmer's death. However, Jamaican police have informed the ICC, the PCB as well as Woolmer's family that a "full scale investigation" will be conducted into his death now.
The Pakistan Cricket Board spokesperson P J Mir, apparently in damage control mode, scheduled a hurried press conference this morning in Kingston to address and clarify the issue (March 21).
"Strong indications of murder"
The police and PCB team in Jamaica confirmed to TIMES NOW today outside the theatre where the autopsy took place, there were "strong indications" that it was murder, prompting authorities to announce that the results had been inconclusive. Reports of the toxicology and histology tests are still awaited.
Sources have told TIMES NOW that the PCB is upset over the news of the Woolmer homicide being splashed all over the media, saying it was against Jamaican law to give out information before Jamaican authorities did. The fact that one of the world's most renowned cricket coaches was possibly murdered 36 hours after his team exited from the World Cup, would not only be a source of deep embarrassment for the PCB, but also have very serious implications on international cricket.
Additionally, the homicide conclusion opens the door to a host of possibilities as to the motive behind the murder - not the least of which is the alleged player-bookie nexus in Pakistan, which would have been dealt a heavy blow from the team's exit from the World Cup.
Pak team to stay on
Pakistan cricket team members have also been questioned by police over the past two days as to their whereabouts the time Woolmer was last seen alive. Police have in fact asked the team to stay back in Kingston for two days after their match with Zimbabwe or till investigations are concluded.
"Suspicious" circumstances
Bob Woolmer was found on Sunday night (March 18, India time) in his hotel room unconscious and in a pool of vomit. He was pronounced dead on reaching the hospital. TIMES NOW sports editor Faisal Shariff spoke to the Pakistan team's assistant manager Asad Mustafa, who commented that the circumstances in which Woolmer was discovered were "suspicious" from the start – not only was there vomit found, there were also indications that the coach had suffered from diarrhea, his blood sugar testing machine was found on the floor in the bathroom and there was blood on his cheek and eyes.
Woolmer was reported to have abnormal breathing problems because of which he was on prescription drugs. He was also reported to be consuming alcohol for a few days after Pakistan's defeat to Ireland.
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