Pathologist in Woolmer case may have to quit

Last updated at 22:00 03 June 2007


The pathologist whose findings suggested cricket coach Bob Woolmer had been murdered faces losing his job over the case.

Indian-born Dr Ere Seshaiah's postion as a government pathologist looks in jeopardy as Jamaican police prepare to confirm the Daily Mail's exclusive report on Saturday that Mr Woolmer died of natural causes.

It was Dr Seshaiah's findings that led former Scotland Yard detective Mark Shields to announce to the world that Mr Woolmer, the coach of Pakistan, had been strangled in his hotel room during the World Cup in March.

Mr Shields, Jamaica's deputy police commissioner, is also in the firing line and some Jamaican officers are saying privately that he is about to quit.

He recently visited Mr Woolmer's widow Gill at her home in Cape Town although she said that she had not been told the murder investigation would be wrapped up.

Dr Seshaiah took up his post in the Jamaican capital Kingston 12 years ago. A review of his autopsy by a senior Home Office pathologist in London concluded he was wrong to suggest Mr Woolmer was strangled.

Tests showed the heavy-drinking coach was not poisoned either. Sources said he was ill and probably died of heart failure.

He was also likely to have been under stress after Pakistan crashed out of the cup.

Comments (0)

Share what you think

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now