According to the station’s spokesperson Warrant Officer Balan Muthan, Sector 1 police were called out to a domestic dispute in the early hours of the morning.
“A male suspect was placed in the back of a police van,” stated Muthan. “While our officers were taking a statement from the man’s wife, the man somehow used his shoelaces to hang himself.”
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Douglasdale Community Policing Forum chairperson, Jean Berdou, gave further information on the incident and said he believed the act of domestic violence was alcohol related.
“Officers at the scene decided it was best to separate both parties by keeping the man in the police van in order for them to conduct an interview with the wife,” said Berdou.
“After talking to the wife, they opened the back of the van so they could take a statement from the man, but were shocked to find him dead with a noose made from his own shoelaces tied around his neck.”
The case was immediately handed over to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate and the station duty officer. Trauma counsellors were also called to the scene.
“Both the family of the deceased and the police officers present were severely distraught and will be receiving detailed trauma counselling for the foreseeable future,” Berdou continued.
“The forum was greatly distressed to learn of this grave matter and we would like to extend our sincerest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. We will also offer any assistance possible to those who have been affected by this tragic event.”
Further information will be released once the directorate has finalised its investigation into the matter.
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