Appeal for information from the family of David Brown in Liverpool

Mr Brown, aged 41, collapsed at home after he attended at St Anne Street Police Station and was taken to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

Now his family are appealing for witnesses to the incident in Priory Road, Anfield, earlier that day. 

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is looking into David’s death and his family want there to be as much information as possible to help with the investigation. 

In a statement on its website the IOPC states that Mr Brown was stopped by officers at 11.30am in Priory Road and taken to St Anne Street police station where he was taken to a police custody suite before being released. He collapsed at home in the afternoon. 

The IOPC has confirmed that it has CCTV footage of the custody suite where Mr Brown was detained. 

Mr Brown’s family believe that people saw Merseyside Police in contact with Mr Brown in Priory Road at 11.30am and have asked anyone who saw what happened to make contact with the IOPC. 

David’s sister, Leeann Doolin said: 

“We are devastated by David’s death at the age of just 41 years old. We need to know how this can have happened so suddenly, so we are appealing to anyone who saw anything that happened to him on the day he died to please get in touch with the IOPC. 

“David (known as Brownie) was everyone’s best friend. He was a loving dad, son, brother, brother-in-law and uncle.  He had a heart of pure gold, was generous and was the life and soul of the party. He loved life and did not have a bad word to say about anyone. He has left a huge hole in our family.”  

The family are represented by solicitor Leanne Devine, partner at law firm Leigh Day. 

Leanne Devine said: 

“It is vital that the IOPC has as much information as possible so that its investigators can build a full and clear picture of what happened to David Brown in the hours leading up to his death. Anyone who has any information about what happened in Priory Road, or in St Anne Street police station, is asked to contact the IOPC to share what they know. 

“We will be supporting David’s family in their quest to find out exactly what happened on the day he died.” 

The IOPC can be contacted on prioryroad@policeconduct.gov.uk