Close on the heels of a string of custody deaths in the country, another inmate died under mysterious circumstances at a detention house in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, the Wuhan-based Chutian Metropolis News reported yesterday.

Though authorities said Li Wenyan, 50, died "after having a nightmare", doctors detected bruises on his forehead, causing Li's family to suspect foul play.

According to officials at the detention house, Li cried out loud "while having a nightmare" in the wee hours of March 27. "His heart rate slowed down and was rushed to the hospital, where he died," they said.