Woolmer 'strangled after poisoning'

Preliminary tests revealed a drug in Woolmer's system that would have incapacitated him, according to Panorama.

Programme makers said it now seems certain that as 6ft 2ins tall Woolmer was being strangled, he had already been rendered helpless, explaining how he could have been overpowered.

The final results of the toxicology tests are due to be handed back to Jamaican police next week, but are expected to confirm the preliminary findings, the investigative programme said.

The 58-year-old was found unconscious in the Pakistan team's hotel in March, a day after his side lost to Ireland in a humiliating defeat which knocked them out of the World Cup.

Details of the poison could hold a significant clue to finding his killer.

The BBC1 show said investigating officer Mark Shields, felt it would be difficult to strangle a man of Woolmer's size.

He told the BBC: "It's difficult and it's rare. A lot of force would be needed to do that. Bob Woolmer was a large man and that's why one could argue that it was an extremely strong person, or may be more than one person, but equally the lack of external injuries suggests that there might be some other factors and that's what we're looking into at the moment."

Mr Shields, the chief investigator in the murder, said last week that the "huge and complex" inquiry needed more time before naming any suspects.

Panorama will report "previously unknown" details about the crime scene, it claimed.