The death of a 29-year-old Beijing resident in police custody on Saturday evening has become the subject of nationwide scrutiny.

According to the Changping Sub-bureau of Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, the deceased man, named Lei Yang, was apprehended on the evening of May 7 for soliciting prostitution in a foot massage parlor. Lei at first resisted arrest. Later, on the way to the police station, he claimed to feel sudden physical discomfort. He died after being sent to the hospital.

Lei’s family members, who were informed early Sunday morning that he had suffered a fatal heart attack while in police custody, raised doubts over the cause of his death. They questioned why there were scars on Lei’s body (police later explained that the bruises were caused by Lei’s attempts to evade arrest), why his mouth had been bleeding, and why they hadn’t been informed sooner.

According to his family, Lei was at home until about 9 p.m., when he headed to the airport to pick up a relative. Family members also said Lei had a good relationship with his wife, casting doubt that he would go looking for a prostitute.

Lei’s doctor, surnamed Zhang, is the director of the emergency department to which Lei was sent. Zhang told CCTV that Lei arrived at 10:09 p.m. He had no vital signs, and after 45 minutes of attempts at resuscitation, his vital sign were still nonexistent. At 10:55 p.m., Lei was declared dead.

Zhang said that there was a little bloody discharge in Lei's mouth, and his right cheek was bruised. However, the reason for the injuries could not be confirmed. He said Lei’s cause of death could only be determined by an autopsy.

Quoting Zhang, CCTV reported that the cause of death is still uncertain and requires an autopsy for further confirmation.