Pathologist maintains Woolmer was strangled

Ere Sheshiah, the pathologist who conducted the autopsy of the Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, has told an inquest in Jamaica that he stands by his finding that Woolmer's death was because of poisoning and strangulation.

"In my opinion, Woolmer died from asphyxia due to manual strangulation associated with cypermethrin poisoning," Sheshiah said, adding the chemical was used widely in many countries where cotton was cultivated such as Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. "I stand by my findings that Woolmer was strangled and, based upon additional information which I received, he was also poisoned."

Sheshiah said cypermethrin could cause symptoms including "salivation, vomiting, diarrhea and muscular incoordination", which might have accounted for the mess that was found in Woolmer's room. He said police pressed him to offer a conclusion in the case before he received the results of the toxicology report.

His procedures in the post mortem were criticised by three other pathologists asked to review the case. All testified Woolmer appeared to have died of natural causes, probably related to heart disease.

The inquest is expected to end on November 9.