Coroner orders to release Woolmer's body

The body of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer is to be released, five weeks after his sensational murder that cast a heavy shadow over the World Cup.

Woolmer's widow Gill reacted with joy Monday after the Jamaican police relayed the coroner's decision to her.

"I am very pleased that they have decided to do this," Gill was quoted as saying by the Jamaica Observer Tuesday.

A statement from the national security ministry said coroner Patrick Murphy ordered the release of Woolmer's body for repatriation to begin.

The decision to send Woolmer's body back home comes days after Murphy announced that an inquest he had ordered into the coach's death was postponed indefinitely.

The inquest was scheduled to start Sunday at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

The national security ministry said the police were making arrangements to send the slain coach's body to home at the earliest possible date.

Officials were mum on whether or not they were close to naming a suspect or making an arrest for the high-profile murder. They also threw cold water on speculation that the fingerprints of a Pakistani player were found on Woolmer's wrist.

"The investigation is progressing. I know nothing of a fingerprint," a police source said.

Woolmer was found unconscious in room 374 on the 12th floor of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel March 18.

Police at first said the cause of his death was inconclusive, then later announced that the death was suspicious before conceding that he was strangled.

Over the weekend, police were deployed on all floors of the Pegasus where the New Zealand and Sri Lanka cricket teams are now staying.

(IANS)

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