Woolmer widow awaits return of body

CAPE TOWN: The widow of late Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer said on Tuesday she has been told the body of her murdered husband was ready to be flown home for his funeral in South Africa, a report said.

Gill Woolmer said Jamaican authorities had called her to confirm that Woolmer's body could now be flown home six weeks after being found in his hotel room although she did not know exactly when, reported the Cape Argus newspaper.

"It's a great relief," she said from the family's home in Cape Town's Pinelands neighbourhood.

She had earlier said the cremation ceremony for the English-born Woolmer would be a private family affair.

A public memorial service was held for the former South African coach in the city earlier this month.

Woolmer, 58, was found dead in his Kingston hotel room on March 18, the day after Pakistan had crashed out of the World Cup after an upset loss to Ireland.

Detectives launched a murder investigation after an autopsy indicated the former England Test player had been strangled, but they have yet to make any arrests.

An inquest had been scheduled to open on Monday, but was postponed by the Jamaican justice ministry on advice of the coroner. No reason was given for the delay.

Jamaica's Daily Gleaner newspaper reported on Tuesday that a coroner had ordered Woolmer's remains to be released to his family.