South African police launch inquest into Peter Roebuck’s death

Cape Town, (ANI): South African police have launched an inquest into the death of Peter Roebuck after the noted cricket columnist plunged six storeys to his death from a Cape Town hotel room on Saturday.

According to news.com.au, Roebuck had earlier been spoken to by Cape Town police, who were investigating claims of sexual assault, but the circumstances surrounding the death will not be officially released by South African police authorities for at least a month.

“An inquest docket has been opened for investigation,” police captain Frederick Van Wyk said.

Roebuck was staying at the Southern Sun Hotel Newlands after covering the first Test between South Africa and Australia for the Sydney Morning Herald and ABC.

He arrived back at the hotel on Saturday night after dinner with a friend and was last seen being spoken to by police in his room.

It is reported that Roebuck, staying on the sixth floor of the hotel, plunged to his death after jumping out of a window with police still in the room.

He landed on the awning outside the entrance to the hotel.