Woman’s death in custody prompts investigation into police in central China
- Daughter claims the 56-year-old had ‘multiple bruises’ when she saw her at the hospital hours after she turned herself in for questioning
- The woman was waiting to be interrogated when she suffered a heart attack, authorities say
A local government task force in the central Chinese province of Hunan has been formed to investigate the death of a woman at a police station who had turned herself in for questioning.
Authorities in Cili county, Hunan province, said the woman, identified only by her surname Zhao, had suffered a heart attack but another person claiming to be her daughter said Zhao had “multiple bruises”.
In their statement, Cili authorities said Zhao turned herself in to police on June 14 for questioning related to procuring prostitutes.
While waiting to be interrogated, Zhao suddenly collapsed on her way to the toilet, the statement said.
“The police then contacted the hospital, but [Zhao] died after the hospital failed to rescue her. The hospital diagnosed a malignant cardiac arrhythmia resulting in sudden cardiac death,” the statement said.
