Pakistani Cricket Coach, Thought to Have Been Murdered, Believed to Have Died of Natural Causes

Coach of the Pakistani cricket team, Bob Woolmer, was believed to be murdered when found unconscious in his hotel room in March.

Now, however, Jamaican police say it is believed that he died of natural, according to the New York Times. Commissioner of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Lucius Thomas the man who issued the initial statement on March 22, four days after the death, had established the cause of death as "asphyxia as a result of manual strangulation."

The death was initially pronounced inconclusive, but four days later, changed to strangulation by government pathologist Dr. Sheshiah. Thomas received three independent autopsy reports on Tuesday, though, that were contrary to his strangulation or poison theories. He said more recently that "the Jamaica Constabulary Force accepts these findings and has now closed its investigation into the death of Mr. Bob Woolmer."

Aside from being a professional cricket coach, Woolmer was also an international cricketer and also a professional commentator. He played in 19 Test matches and 6 One-day Internationals for England and later went on to coach South Africa, Warwickshire and Pakistan. He was best known for his innovative coaching techniques, a pioneer of computer and video analysis. Woolmer's death occurred after a defeat by Ireland in the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

As to the cause of death for the 58 year India-born British citizen, that is still unsure. It was initially believed to be a heart attack, but that would not account for the vomit and diarrhea found with his body. A follow-up report has yet to be issued. Deputy police commissioner Mark Shields, who led the homicide investigation at one point said he was 100 percent certain that Woolmer was murdered.

The death had cast a gloomy cloud over the rest of the World Cup in March, as everybody suddenly became a suspect. Nearly 400 people were interviewed. His body was discovered by a maid on March 18, after which, police began to question and fingerprint the members of the Pakistani cricket team. The team spokesman, Pervez Jamil Mir told the Associated Press "the name of Pakistan has been maligned and the names of Pakistani cricketers have been maligned, because everybody became a suspect."

Gill Woolmer, Bob Woolmer's widow issued a statement in South Africa saying the family was pleased the ordeal was over. She said "my sons and I are relieved to be officially informed that Bob died of natural causes and that no foul play is suspected in his death."

Source:

Lacey, Marc. "Cricket Coach'S Death Not a Murder, Police Say." New York Times. 13 June 2007. 13 June 2007 http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/13/world/americas/13cricket.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin