Woolmer inquest put back amid poisoning links
Bob Woolmer was found dead in a Jamaican hotel last month
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Friday, 20, Apr 2007 12:26
The inquest into the death of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer has been delayed because of "new and significant developments" coming to light.
Jamaican justice ministers said late last night that the inquest, which had been due to begin on Monday, would now be delayed.
It comes as media reports suggest that police investigating the 58-year-old's death now believe he was poisoned rather than strangled, as previously thought.
"The coroner wishes that these new and significant developments be pursued with the utmost urgency, taking into account that the officer in charge has advised that these new developments are critical to the progress and the eventual results of the investigations themselves," a Jamaican justice ministry statement said.
"If it becomes necessary for an inquest to be held after the new and material developments have been investigated, then another date for the holding of the inquest will be appointed."
Woolmer was found dead in his room on Sunday March 18th and an autopsy several days later revealed a broken bone in his neck, which led to the announcement he had been the victim of strangulation.
But today's Sun newspaper cites unnamed Jamaican detectives suggesting that traces of the paralysing drug aconite, otherwise known as wolfsbane, were found in Woolmer's body during toxicology tests.
The newspaper quotes a 'senior police source' as saying: "We are now entirely convinced that he was poisoned."
Former Warwickshire coach Woolmer died in the hours after his Pakistan team suffered a humiliating defeat to one-day minnows Ireland which saw their hopes of reaching the World Cup Super Eight stage ended.