Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer's killer or killers may have used a length of fabric to strangle him, police in Jamaica said yesterday. The absence of weals around his throat indicated he was throttled with a towel or a piece of cloth rather than bare hands.
"There are no physical marks on the neck of the victim, therefore there may have been something between the hands of the assailant and the victim," said Mark Shields, Jamaica's deputy police commissioner.
He confirmed that towels had been found in the 12th floor hotel room where Woolmer's body was discovered on March 18th, a day after Pakistan lost to Ireland and were ousted from the World Cup.
A Jamaican government pathologist, Ere Seshaiah, concluded that the 58-year-old former England batsman died from asphyxia as a result of manual strangulation. Asked if a towel was now considered the murder weapon, Shields said a Jamaican criminal would have been more likely to use a gun or a knife, suggesting a foreigner was responsible.
Woolmer, who was found naked and unconscious the morning after he went to his room for the night, was taken to hospital and pronounced dead shortly after midday. His bathroom was covered in blood and vomit.
A police report has been sent to the Kingston coroner. At the request of police he will carry out his own inquiry while detectives continue their investigation.
Investigators are awaiting the results of toxicology and blood tests which should pinpoint the time of death. Once that is established they will be able to narrow their study of CCTV footage of the entrance to the elevator and corridor on the 12th floor.
New Zealand outplayed West Indies to coast to a seven-wicket victory and leave the hosts needing to make up significant ground if they are to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
The Kiwis cashed in on an efficient performance in the field - bowling West Indies out for 177 in yesterday's Super Eight match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
They made no mistake with the bat either, Scott Styris (80 not out) contributing his third 50 of the tournament.
Guardian Service
