In the early hours of August 1, 2025, the quiet corridors of a Greater Manchester police station were pierced by a sense of urgency. Ellis Rocks, a 26-year-old man from Wigan, was found unresponsive and lying on the floor in his cell. Just days earlier, on July 31, he had been arrested at the Britannia Hotel in Standish, handcuffed, searched, and brought into custody on suspicion of a drug offence and in connection with a suspected assault in London, according to statements from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) reported by multiple outlets including BBC and Manchester Evening News.
Paramedics were called at approximately 2:30am, and despite their efforts, Ellis suffered a cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital. He clung to life for another 52 hours, his mother and sister at his side, before passing away at 7:20am on August 3. His family, shattered by the loss, has since called for answers and justice, setting the stage for a high-profile investigation that has now placed five GMP officers under scrutiny by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The IOPC, the UK’s police watchdog, swiftly launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Ellis’s death. On August 19, the agency announced a significant development: three officers are being investigated for potential breaches of professional standards at the level of misconduct, while two others face potential gross misconduct charges. As the IOPC clarified in its statement, "The serving of notices does not necessarily mean that disciplinary proceedings will follow. Our investigation remains in its early stages, however no concerns have been identified at this time regarding any use of force by GMP officers." (BBC)
Ellis’s arrest, which took place just after 8:30pm at the Britannia Hotel, was reportedly unrelated to any protest activity or asylum seeker issues, as GMP addressed online speculation. The force stated, “The man in question had been arrested on suspicion of drug offences, and in connection with an investigation into an assault in London. The arrest did not come in connection with any protest activity. The man was arrested at a location which does not house asylum seekers, and there were no protests in relation to this in Wigan on the day the man was taken into custody.” (Manchester Evening News)
After being transferred to custody, Ellis was kept overnight. The chain of events leading to his collapse remains under investigation, with the IOPC reviewing both CCTV from the custody suite and body-worn footage from the arrest. The watchdog has also begun gathering initial accounts from the officers involved.
For Ellis’s family, the official investigation is only part of the quest for justice. His mother, Paula Wilkie, has been vocal about her heartbreak and determination. In a public Facebook post, she wrote, “My beautiful boy Ellis has sadly passed away this morning at 07.20 am. Me and his sister Sasha Leigh-Rocks got to spend the last 52 hours of his life at his side and held his hands as he took his last breath. Nothing can fix this pain we feel as a family, and it’s something that could have been avoided. To avoid speculation and malicious rumours. My son was arrested and in police custody at the time, and an event occurred where only we know as a family, and our closest friends. There has been an investigation started already yesterday.” She added, “We have our own investigation team who are in touch with us every step of the way to find justice for my son Ellis Rocks and to make sure this never happens to anyone’s child again. We ask as a family to give us space to grieve. We are broken as a family. We cannot thank the paramedics who attended to Ellis enough, they are helping us with the enquiry as they seen first hand the events that had unfolded. May my little boy rest in peace and we will fight for justice till the day we die.” (Manchester Evening News)
Paula’s words echo the family’s frustration and grief, sentiments that have resonated with many in the local community. She has also expressed a sense of betrayal by the system, stating, “Ellis has badly been let down by the system and our hearts break, but we will get him justice.” (BBC)
The IOPC, led by Director Amanda Rowe, has maintained regular contact with the family. Rowe offered condolences and stressed the importance of a thorough and independent investigation: “We have been in contact with Mr Rocks’s family to update them on the progress of our investigation and have been informed of the latest development. Our thoughts remain with all family and friends and anyone affected by his death. While we’ve notified a number of officers they are under investigation, this does not mean that disciplinary proceedings will automatically follow. At the end of our investigation, we will determine whether any individuals should face disciplinary proceedings. It’s important that we continue to carry out an independent and thorough investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident. The family have asked for privacy and to not be approached by reporters at this difficult time. Please may I ask for their wishes to be respected.”
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes of GMP has reaffirmed the force’s commitment to supporting the IOPC investigation, noting, “GMP would cooperate fully with the IOPC probe.” The force has not commented further since the latest update, but has reiterated its intention to assist as the inquiry progresses.
The IOPC’s investigation is methodical, involving the review of surveillance and body-worn camera footage, as well as interviews with the officers involved. The agency has emphasized that while misconduct notices have been served, this is not an indication of guilt. “The serving of notices does not necessarily mean that disciplinary proceedings will follow,” the IOPC stated, underlining the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise.
No evidence of excessive force has been found so far, a point the IOPC has underscored repeatedly. This detail is significant, given the broader context of public concern over deaths in police custody across the UK. The watchdog’s transparency about its findings, even at this early stage, is likely intended to maintain public trust during what is inevitably a tense and emotional period for all involved.
The family’s call for privacy has been echoed by the IOPC, with Amanda Rowe urging the media and public to respect their wishes. “The family have asked for privacy and to not be approached by reporters at this difficult time. Please may I ask for their wishes to be respected.” This request highlights the deeply personal nature of the tragedy, even as it unfolds in the public eye.
As the investigation continues, the community in Wigan—and beyond—waits for answers. The case of Ellis Rocks has become a focal point in ongoing debates about police accountability and the treatment of individuals in custody. For now, both the official and family-led investigations march forward, united by a shared goal: to uncover the truth of what happened on those fateful days in early August, and to ensure that, whatever the findings, justice is served for Ellis Rocks and his grieving loved ones.
