Police are investigating the dying in custody of a person from a distant QueenslandIndigenous group.
The Queensland Police Service stated the native man died on Wednesday afternoon within the watch home at Kowanyama, on the western Cape York coast alongside the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Police stated the 51-year-old had been taken into custody over allegations of home and household violence associated offences.
He was taken to the watch home and "subsequently situated unresponsive in his cell a short while later", the QPS stated in a press release.
The person was reported to be Indigenous however police wouldn't affirm that element. A police spokesperson referred 9News.com.au to the QPS assertion when requested for extra particulars.
Police stated the state coroner and Crime and Corruption Fee would independently oversee an investigation by the moral requirements command.
"Household liaison officers have been designated to supply info and help to the person's household," police stated.
Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Mayor Robbie Sands advised the ABC the group was shocked and saddened by the dying.
"From what I can observe the group is calm, the household group who're affected by the dying in custody are calm and we have to keep that," he stated.
"Most significantly, we have to [get] some solutions for the household – hopefully that investigation can occur fairly rapidly."
He stated police advised him officers would come from Cairns and urged the group to "keep calm".
"The investigation goes to occur," he stated.
"Our council will be sure that the investigation is thorough and that there is transparency for the investigation because it happens."
Help is accessible from theNationwide Sexual Assault, Home Household Violence Counselling Serviceat 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).