A heartbroken mother has paid tribute to her son, Ellis Rocks, who died in police custody after being arrested at the Britannia Hotel in Standish, Wigan, on 31 July 2025.

The 26-year-old was arrested on suspicion of a drug offence and for an assault he was wanted for by police in London.

Ellis, 26, was detained around 8:30pm, searched, handcuffed, and taken into custody. He remained in a cell overnight until 2:30am, when officers found him unresponsive. Paramedics were called, but en route to hospital, Ellis suffered a fatal cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at 7:20am on 1 August.

His mother accused Greater Manchester Police of negligence in a social media post, stating, "There has been an investigation started already yesterday and 2 police officers have been served "Papers" the cameras do not lie."

"It's now classed as a major investigation, due to the severity of negligence from GMP Wigan."

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into his death. Greater Manchester Police are cooperating with the IOPC’s inquiries.