Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer was poisoned before being strangled, apparently rendering him unable to fight back, a BBC programme claims.
Preliminary tests revealed a drug in Woolmer’s system that would have incapacitated him, according to Panorama: Murder at the World Cup.
Programme makers said it now seems certain that as the 6ft 2ins tall former Warwickshire cricket coach was being strangled, he had already been rendered helpless, explaining how he could have been overpowered.
The final results of the toxicology tests are due to be handed back to Jamaican police next week, but are expected to confirm the preliminary findings.
The 58-year-old was found unconscious in the Pakistan team’s hotel in March, a day after his side lost to Ireland in a humiliating defeat which knocked them out of the World Cup.
Investigating officer Mark Shields felt it would be difficult to strangle a man of Woolmer’s size. "Bob Woolmer was a large man and that’s why one could argue that it was an extremely strong person, or may be more than one person, but equally the lack of external injuries suggests that there might be some other factors and that’s what we’re looking into at the moment."
A suspected heart attack was the first suggested cause of death but initial post mortem results were inconclusive and the rumour mill went into overdrive.
Theories surrounding the mysterious death of the "gentle giant" ranged from potential links to match-fixing allegations to a fan with a grudge. Among those taking part in the programme is the Pakistan team’s former media manager, PJ Mir.
He said Woolmer had agreed with his view that senior members of the squad, some members of the strict Muslim movement Tablighi Jamaat, were more focused on religion than cricket.
He told the programme a fatwah has been issued against him, forcing him to flee the country, and he believed Woolmer might have faced a similar level of anger. He added: "Let’s put it this way – if Bob had said what I’d said I think there would have been a fatwah on him as well – there’s no question of that."
Woolmer’s wife, Gill, told programme makers she wanted answers. She said: "Well just that we find out who, what and when and why. That would put my mind at rest."
Panorama will also broadcast final images of Woolmer taken before he died - CCTV footage from the Pegasus hotel as he headed back to his room on the 12th floor.
His remains have been returned to his home in South Africa for a private funeral.
* Panorama is broadcast tonight (Monday) at 8.30pm
