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A man died after police reportedly used capsicum spray on him during a confrontation at an Adelaide home overnight.
Police were called to a unit in Christie Downs early last night after reports of a disturbance.
The dead man, 37, had earlier been detained under mental health laws and taken to Noarlunga Hospital for assessment before he escaped.
The AdelaideNow website reported that police tried to subdue the man, who had a history of mental illness, before using capsicum spray.
He was treated by paramedics after he collapsed but died at the scene.
A SA police spokesman said the man died about 7.15pm (CST) and the incident was being investigated by the major crime investigation branch.
He said the man's death was being treated as a death in custody and a report was being prepared for the coroner.
A post mortem would be conducted to determine the cause of death, he said.
A neighbour of the dead man said he was a "gentle giant", but heavy user of methamphetamine and cannabis, the AdelaideNow website reported.
"He owed lots of different people money for drugs," Geoffrey Stevens said.
"He's never done anything to anyone around here. He was a gentle giant, absolutely harmless."
- AAP
