Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter

The body of murdered Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer is expected to leave Jamaica today for Cape Town, South Africa.

Departing on Air Jamaica Flight JM 003 from Norman Manley International Airport at 10:10 p.m., the body is to be flown first to Heathrow Airport in London and then on to his family in Cape Town on Sunday, confirmed Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields. DCP Shields has taken charge of arrangements for the return.

Mr. Woolmer's body had been in limbo for over a month since his murder, on the orders of Coroner Patrick Murphy, who had instructed that his body not be released prior to an inquest. However, Mr. Murphy relented on Monday.

According to DCP Shields, Gill Woolmer, the coach's widow, was relieved.

The body's return follows the decision taken last Wednesday to indefinitely postpone the inquest, originally scheduled to begin Monday. Deputy Commissioner Shields had also written to the coroner expressing concern that information revealed in the inquest could damage the ongoing investigation.

Press conference

Investigators will be holding a press conference tomorrow morning, during which Pakistani police sent to assist Jamaica Constabulary Force detectives will address the media. The Pakistanis have been here for two weeks and are to return home by the end of the week.

Mr. Woolmer's body has been in storage at Roman's Funeral Home on Oxford Street, downtown Kingston, where it had been embalmed.

- ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com