Bob was strangled: Jamaica journo

New Delhi/Jamaica: A local radio station in Jamaica Radio Jamaica has claimed that Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer was strangled to death.

Rohan Powell, the Radio Jamaica reporter who broke the news, did not disclose the source of the information. But talking to the media, he said police confirmation is expected soon.

"Police will tell members of the public and journalists that the cause of (Woolmer's) death is strangulation. I'm unable to say who gave me the information. I've to guard my sources," said Powell.

When asked how reliable his sources were, Powell said confidently that they were "very reliable."

Powell claims that there were "strangulation-like" marks on Woolmer's neck.

But when Police was asked about to comments on Powell's comments, the deputy chief constable of the Jamaican police force, Mark Shields, refused to either confirm or deny it but said they were open to all possibilities.

"Well, there is a lot of speculation. I think the best thing everyone can do is to wait for the results of the tests, tomorrow hopefully. And we can move on from there," said Shields.

Woolmer, 58, was found unconscious in his hotel room on Sunday and was pronounced dead at a local hospital, a day after Pakistan was beaten by Ireland that knocked the former champions out of this year's World Cup.

It has been revealed that there was blood and vomit in the room and Woolmer was found by hotel staff on the floor with his mouth wide open.

Though his autopsy report was inconclusive, speculation was rife on Wednesday about a possible foul play angle with Jamaican Police saying the death was 'suspicious'.

But for the Pakistan management Powell's comments were a bolt from the blue. And they were quick to dismiss them as mere speculation.

Pakistan team's spokesperson Pervez Mir said, "I do not believe in rumours. At the end of the day, till it is proved, till the time police tells us anything, I can't comment on this. And as soon as police tells us anything, we will keep you update."

He further added, "There is absolutely no concern, whatsoever. These are all mere speculations. Mr. Woolmer just comes back after the match against Ireland to his hotel and the next morning he is found dead. And ofcourse, right now as the investigations are going on, that is all we can say."

However, the police scoffed at rumours that there was something "sinister" to Woolmer's death, but the room in which he was found has still not been handed back to the hotel management.

The Pakistan team is scheduled to fly out of Jamaica on Saturday and Woolmer's body will be on the same flight to London from where it will be sent to Cape Town in South Africa where the family lives.

Pakistan trainer Murray Stevenson will accompany the body.

(With Vimal Kumar in Jamaica)

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