Jamaica Police: Woolmer Death Suspicious

Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer leaves after recording his statement before a tribunal, in this Nov. 1, 2006 file photo, in Lahore, Pakistan Woolmer, 58, died in hospital on Sunday, March 18, 2007 soon after being found unconscious in his hotel room, a Pakistan team spokesman said. (AP Photo/K M Chaudary, file) (K M Chaudary - AP)

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- The death of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer is being treated as "suspicious" by police.

During a late-night news conference at the team's hotel Tuesday night, deputy police commissioner Mark Shields read a statement which said, "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."

Asked if Jamaica police were pursuing a murder investigation, Shield said: "No, we are not saying that."

The news conference in Jamaica was called after reports emerged in Pakistan's print and electronic media of a murder plot.

The 58-year-old Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room Sunday, hours after Pakistan was upset by Ireland and eliminated from advancing at the Cricket World Cup.

Earlier Tuesday, government officials had said a preliminary autopsy on Woolmer was inconclusive.

"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," Shields read from the statement.

Pakistan has one game remaining, Wednesday against Zimbabwe. It will remain in Jamaica until Saturday, when it will make a decision to leave.

The latest news capped a tumultuous day for the Pakistan team.

Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board head Naseem Ashraf and the organization's three-member selection committee resigned over the losses to the West Indies and Ireland and its humiliating elimination from the World Cup.

The resignations were submitted to the country's president, General Pervez Musharraf _ the patron of the Pakistan board.

"Ashraf faxed his resignation last night and it's now up to the patron whether he accepts it or not," board spokesman Ahsan Malik said.