Questions Continue To Dog Woolmer Investigation

There are fresh questions about the ongoing investigation into cricket coach Bob Woolmer, including the possibility that he was not strangled at all:

The Times was citing sources close to the investigation of Dr Carey.

It said there was growing speculation that death was by natural causes, although it gave no new information on what may have led to Mr Woolmer's death.

The results of toxicology tests are still awaited but the Times said they might indicate the levels of a herbicide said to have been found in his body.

[The media should] refrain from speculation because of the additional distress it places upon the Woolmer family

Karl Angell,
Jamaican police

The herbicide is used for weeding cricket pitches. The tests may show whether the level was sufficient to have triggered the sickness and diarrhoea Mr Woolmer suffered before death, it said.

Heart trouble has been suggested as another cause for the death of Mr Woolmer, 58, who also suffered from diabetes.

The original autopsy said Mr Woolmer may have suffered manual strangulation, indicated by a broken bone in his neck.

UK authorities were asked to help with the investigation.

The Jamaica Gleaner said Scotland Yard's pathology report said Mr Woolmer "died of natural causes and not manual strangulation as was initially reported by Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields".

The paper said the report contradicted that of the local pathologist, Dr Ere Sheshiah.

Jamaican police spokesman Karl Angell said such press reports were "unhelpful" and urged the media "to refrain from speculation because of the additional distress it places upon the Woolmer family".

Theories about his death have ranged from crooked cricket players or bookies worried that Woolmer might go to the authorities, to some players on his Pakistani team angry with the way he went after them for not fully participating in team practices because they put their religious duties in the Tablighi Jamaat first.