Ellis Rocks was found unresponsive hours after being taken to police custody
A man who died after being found collapsed in police custody has been pictured for the first time.
Ellis Rocks was arrested at the Britannia Hotel in on Almond Brook Road in Standish, Wigan, following reports of a man trying to deal drugs last Thursday evening (July 31).
Greater Manchester Police says the 26-year-old was arrested on suspicion of a drug offence and for an assault he was wanted for by police in London.
The force says Mr Rocks was taken to a custody cell in Wigan at 9.15pm, where staff later found him unresponsive at 2.30am on Friday.
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Mr Rocks was taken to hospital, where he sadly died on Sunday morning.
An investigation has been launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following Mr Rocks’ death.
He has since been pictured for the first time, with his mum Paula Wilkie paying tribute to her ‘beautiful boy’ on Facebook.
She said that ‘nothing can fix this pain we feel as a family’, adding: “We are broken as a family… May my little boy Rest in peace.”
GMP says its Professional Standards Directorate is cooperating with the IOPC on the investigation.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes said: “Our thoughts are with the family of Ellis who have endured the most heartbreaking last few days.
“What is most important is that they get all the answers to what has led to his death. We will fully cooperate with the IOPC’s enquiries.
“Incidents where someone sadly dies following police contact are rare but are nevertheless deeply impactful for that person’s loved ones.
“It is important following a death in our custody that a thorough and independent investigation takes place, and I urge people to not rush to judgement before the full facts are established.”
IOPC investigators were deployed in the early hours of Friday after GMP referred themselves to the watchdog.
An independent investigation was then declared at 10.18am on Sunday.
The IOPC says it has reviewed CCTV from the custody suite and body-worn video footage from officers involved in the arrest, and spoken to GMP about receiving initial accounts from officers involved.
A spokesperson said: “This was a tragic incident in which Mr Rocks has sadly died and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
“GMP referred this matter to us, and as he was in the custody of police at the time he became unwell, it is important there is a thorough and independent investigation.
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“We will examine all relevant matters including the interaction officers had with Mr Rocks during his detention and what happened after he arrived at the custody suite.
“We have made contact with his family to explain our role and will update them as our inquiries progress.”