Woolmer death 'suspicious'

Jamaican police are treating the death of Pakistan cricket coach and former England Test batsman Bob Woolmer as suspicious.The 58-year-old was found unconscious in his hotel room in Kingston on Sunday morning and died in hospital later that day.It followed the shock defeat of Pakistan by debutants Ireland in the Cricket World Cup - one of the biggest upsets in the history of the 32-year tournament.The Jamaican police constabulary earlier revealed that initial findings of a post-mortem examination had been inconclusive.Deputy commissioner Mark Shields later said: "Having met the pathologist, medical personnel and other investigators, there is now sufficient information to continue a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Woolmer which we are now treating 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 (International Cricket Council) to ensure that all the parties are kept informed of the ongoing investigation."Asked if he was saying that Mr Woolmer had been murdered, Mr Shields said: "No, we are not saying that." He added: "We have no suspects".Pakistan's World Cup Group D match against Zimbabwe will go ahead later on Wednesday as scheduled, following a meeting between the team management and officials from the local police, the ICC and Cricket World Cup.Both teams will observe a minute's silence as a mark of respect for Mr Woolmer.© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

ITN | March 21, 2007

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