Edir Frederico Da Costa, known to friends as Edson, died in hospital on June 21 six days after being detained by police in London. The 25-year-old was arrested in the Beckton area of east London along with two others at around 10 p.m. on Thursday June 15. Da Costa's family allege he was "brutally beaten" by authorities and left in a coma.
An investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission has been launched to establish what happened during and after the arrest. A post-mortem was conducted on Thursday, June 22, with a pathologist claiming that there were no injuries to suggest severe force was used.
However, Da Costa's family allege was he was left with a fractured skull and a ruptured bladder among other injuries. A pathologist will investigate further to establish a cause of death.
The police brutally beat my friend's cousin to death in Beckton on Friday. Family aren't being told the name of the officer. #Justice4Edson pic.twitter.com/pv00o4suGR
— Imani (@imanilindsay) June 22, 2017
A statement from the Independent Police Complaints Commission said: “During this interaction it is believed police officers used force and deployed CS spray. Mr Da Costa became unwell, first aid was administered, an ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital. Tragically on Wednesday 21 June, Mr Da Costa died.”
The IPCC’s associate commissioner, Tom Milsom, said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of this young man and all those affected. We are committed to conducting a comprehensive investigation and I would urge anyone with information to support our efforts.”
People are using the #Justice4Edson hashtag to call for answers from the Metropolitan Police. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Da Costa’s family, including his young daughter, and to contribute towards funeral and possible legal costs.
Witnesses can email woodcocksroad@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk or call 0800 096 9073.