Woolmer murder-probe police study hotel footage

Police hunting the killer of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer are scouring CCTV footage and other electronic records today for clues.

The potential evidence is from the Jamaican hotel where Mr Woolmer was strangled in his hotel room on Sunday, a day after Pakistan’s defeat to Ireland which knocked the team out of the Cricket World Cup.

Yesterday detectives said Mr Woolmer probably knew his killer – or killers – as there was no sign of forced entry into his hotel room.

No arrests have been made and speculation is rife that the 58-year-old’s murder may have been linked to match-fixing allegations.

Jamaican deputy police commissioner Mark Shields said yesterday that he found it “difficult to believe” that Mr Woolmer’s killer or killers were complete strangers to him.

Mr Shields said: “It’s imperative we keep an open mind, but I have to say at this stage it looks as if it may be somebody somehow linked to him because clearly he let somebody into his hotel room and it may be that he knew who that person was.”

As well as there being no sign of forced entry into his hotel room, he said former England player Mr Woolmer’s possessions were undisturbed.

Pakistan cricket team media spokesman PJ Mir claimed yesterday that Mr Woolmer had told him a proof of the book he was writing, the only copy, had gone missing.

Speculation is growing that Mr Woolmer may have been preparing to blow the whistle on match-fixing in the book.

The match-fixing allegations may have dated back to Mr Woolmer’s time in charge of South Africa.

He was coach during the period former captain Hansie Cronje, who died in a plane crash in 2002, accepted money from bookmakers to fix the results of one-day internationals, although there is no suggestion Mr Woolmer was involved in any match-fixing ring.

However, last night Mr Woolmer’s wife Gill and sons Dale and Russell insisted there was nothing in the book to explain why he was murdered.

In a statement, read to reporters in the family’s home city of Cape Town, South Africa, they said: “To the best of the family’s knowledge there is absolutely nothing to suggest Bob was involved in match fixing.

“Contrary to reports, we can confirm there is nothing in any book Bob has written which would explain this situation and there were no threats received.”

“Bob was a wonderful husband and father and a great cricket coach.”

They said they were “distraught” at his death, adding that Mr Woolmer would “definitely” have wanted the World Cup to continue.

The Pakistan cricket party and other hotel guests had been interviewed by police.

Pakistan team manager Talat Ali last night urged Jamaican authorities to allow the squad to return home as soon as possible.

Mr Ali said the Pakistan World Cup party had co-operated fully and been exonerated by police and members now want to go home.

Mr Mir said that members of the team were not questioned about rumours of alleged match-fixing.

Jamaican police yesterday denied a report by an Indian television station – New Delhi Television – that an arrest had been made.

The report of an arrest was made by Hamid Mir, chief of Geo TV, speaking to NDT.

Mr Woolmer was found unconscious by a room maid at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

It is understood the coach was found in the bathroom. Despite numerous attempts to revive him on the way to hospital, he was later pronounced dead.

Police confirmed on Thursday that Mr Woolmer had been strangled.

Retired Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lord Condon is poised to help Jamaican police with their investigation.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said Mr Woolmer would receive the prestigious Sitara-e-Imtiaz, or Star of Excellence, civil award in recognition of his contribution to sport.

Mr Woolmer’s family has set up a trust fund to support his cricketing legacy - more details can be found at www.bobwoolmer.org