Woolmer was found in an unconscious state in his twelfth floor room at the Pegasus Hotel early on Sunday. He was declared dead soon after arriving at the University Hospital.

Mark Shields, the deputy chief commissioner of Jamaican police appealed to witnesses to come forward and identify the killer or killers. "Bob was a large man. It would have taken some significant force to subdue him," Mr Shields said. He added they found no signs of forced entry meaning Woolmer knew his killer.

Woolmer was found unconscious in his hotel room on the twelfth floor in a pool of vomit and blood. Unconfirmed sources say that there were obvious signs of struggle in the room, although police had refused to say they are pursuing a murder investigation.

Jamaican police also interviewed members of Pakistan's cricket squad in connection with his death. Team manager Talat Ali told Reuters news agency that the police were spending an hour each with the players. The team was also fingerprinted.

Woolmer's widow Gill had initially refused to entertain thought that her husband had met with foul play. However she now admits anything is possible. "The second pathologist's test should be available and as soon as we get that the investigation will be winding down and they will be able to send his body back to South Africa," she said on Sky News. "There is always the possibility that it could have been [murder]."

Former Pakistani fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz was the first to sound the alarm bells by saying an illegal betting syndicate might have played a part in Woolmer's death.

Meanwhile International Cricket Council chief executive Malcolm Speed said the World Cup would continue despite the tragedy. "There has been speculation as a result of this (Woolmer's murder) the Cricket World Cup would be discontinued but this will not be the case," Speed said at a news conference. "The matches have continued since Sunday and they will Friday."

"It's a challenge to the game to be resolute and strong and finish the World Cup in good spirit," he said. However he refused to be drawn into speculation that match fixing was responsible for Woolmer's untimely death.  "We don't know whether this is corruption related at this stage, we can't jump to conclusions," he added. 

Meanwhile Pakistan has decided to confer its highest civil award the Sitara-i-Imtiaz (star of distinction) to Woolmer.
 

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