Pakistani Coach 'may have been murdered'

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March 21, 2007 02:16pm Police treating Bob Woolmer's death as suspicious Pakistan Cricket Board says it may have been murder Police say investigations will continue POLICE are treating the death of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer as as suspicious and cricket officials say they believe he may have been murdered. Jamaican police announced today investigations had provided "sufficient information" to continue probing the coach's death. Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman Pervez Mir said: "The police suspect that Woolmer may have been murdered." Woolmer, 58, was found unconscious in his hotel room in Jamaica on Sunday morning and was pronounced dead after being transferred to hospital. His death came a day after Pakistan suffered a shock World Cup defeat to Ireland on Saturday, ending its chances of reaching the next round and sparking widespread anger among cricket fans Pakistan. At a late-night media conference at the team's hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, deputy commissioner Mark Shields read a brief statement which said police now had "sufficient information to continue a full investigation into the death of Mr. Woolmer, which we are now treating as suspicious." The full statement read: "At the press conference earlier today we reported that the cause of death was inconclusive. "Having met with the pathologist, other medical personnel and 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 ICC to ensure all parties are kept informed of the ongoing investigation." Earlier, Mr Shields said authorities were waiting for a comprehensive report from doctors. Pakistan plays Zimbabwe on Thursday in its last World Cup match. After two losses, Pakistan has no chance of reaching the second round. At a news conference in Kingston, team officials asked the media not to "try and spread rumors" about Pakistani players being forced to stay in Jamaica as part of police investigations.