A high-ranking police officer confirmed yesterday that fresh evidence has surfaced, suggesting that Pakistan's cricket coach Bob Woolmer was strangled in his room at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

According to the police officer, the 58-year-old Woolmer was found half naked in his room, partially wrapped in a towel.

"A bone in the neck, near the glands, was broken and this suggested that somebody might have put some pressure on it," he said.

"We are now treating this as a homicide."

Despite this, Assistant Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington, the head of World Cup security, said he was not confirming any rumours of strangulation.

Second opinion

On Tuesday, an autopsy conducted on Woolmer's body by Government pathologist, Dr. Ere Sheshiah, proved inconclusive as to the cause of death.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields said then that the police were awaiting the result of the toxicology and histology analysis from Woolmer's tissue sample.

Late yesterday, however, a release from the Jamaica Constabulary Force director of communications, Karl Angell, said a second opinion was being sought.

"Following consultations today involving representatives from the Government of Jamaica and the police, a decision was taken to seek the opinion of a second pathologist," the release said.

The release added that arrangements are currently being made to engage the services of the pathologist.

Meanwhile, a high-profile police team, led by top investigator, Deputy Superintendent of Police Colin Pinnock, held a high-level meeting on the ground floor of the Pagasus as the investigations intensified.

THE STAR understands that the police last night interviewed members of the Pakistan cricket team. Aside from combing the room in which Woolmer was found for more evidence, the police also interviewed hotel staff who worked on the day his body was found.

The detectives also reviewed tapes from closed-circuit cameras at the hotel, which should give them clues as to who entered the room during the period in question.