Murder inquiry as man, 34, dies while in police custody
A MURDER investigation has been launched after a man died in police custody.
He’s been named as Adam Harris, 34, from Dukinfield in Tameside.
Police were called to reports of fighting at an address on West Street in Dukinfield at 1am yesterday.
Mr Harris, and a 33-year-old woman, were arrested on suspicion of assault at the scene and taken into custody at Ashton-under-Lyne police station.
A force spokesman said he was booked into a cell and later became unwell.
Mr Harris was taken to hospital where he later died.
Police believe he had been assaulted during the disturbance and said further enquiries established that a second man was involved at the scene.
A 32-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of Mr Harris’ murder.
A police “He remains questioning.”
The 33-year-old woman has been released on bail pending further investigation.
GMP’s professional spokesman in custody said: for standards branch have routinely referred the incident to police watchdogs The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which confirmed an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death would be carried out.
The IOPC probe is set to examine the contact police had with Mr Harris following his arrest.
They said he was booked into a police cell, but officers became concerned for his health at around 4am and an ambulance was called before he was taken to hospital, where he died.
Det Chf Insp Lewis Hughes, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “We have specially-trained officers supporting the family of Adam at this difficult time and our thoughts remain with them.
“Our investigation is in its early stages and we have a team of detectives working tirelessly to establish the exact circumstances that led to Adam’s death.
“I would urge anyone who witnessed the earlier altercation, or has any information that could assist our investigation, to please get in touch as a matter of urgency.”
The IOPC said it understood the original 999 call to the address was related to a ‘domestic incident.’
A post-mortem examination is due to be held to determine a cause of death. IOPC regional director Amanda Rowe said: “Firstly, our sympathies are with the family and friends of the man who has sadly died. “We have investigators at the custody suite collecting evidence to ensure we have as much information as possible at this early stage. “We will be taking initial statements from all those involved in order to establish the circumstances of this incident.” Call police on 0161 856 8797, quoting reference number 113 of April 20, 2018 if you have any information about the incident.