The founder of popular music festival Earthcore, Spiro Boursinos, passed away while handcuffed by authorities, after what has been reported as an assault incident at a Melbourne bar on Saturday.
According to a police statement, officers arrived at the Antique bar in Elsternwick around 2.15 am following calls about a man assaulting other patrons.
Police arrested the man, who was already being held down, and placed him in handcuffs when he lost consciousness.
“Police attempted to revive the man until Ambulance Victoria arrived and took over.
“Despite the efforts of emergency service personnel, the man died at the scene,” Victoria Police spokeswoman, Leading Senior Constable Melissa Seach, said.
It is understood that Mr Boursinos had suffered from heart problems in the past.
Speaking to 9News, Mr Boursinos’ mother, Christine, has said the family is considering legal action over the death which happened during police custody.
“I’m a mother and nobody feels the way I feel right now.
“If the ambulance was there earlier, he may have survived,” Ms Boursinos told 9News.
The death of the 45-year-old has left devastated his family members, friends, colleagues, but also many followers of the outdoor dance festival scene.
Having founded Earthcore, one of the biggest festivals in Australia attracting thousands of visitors every year, Mr Boursinos is considered a pioneer in the so-called “bush-doof” culture.
Jimmy Barber, managing director of event organiser Dark Riddims posted on Facebook about Mr Boursinos’ death: “Today the Australian electronic music scene lost a polarising icon. Love him or hate him, he was still an icon and RIP Spiro.”
A post-mortem examination is underway to determine the cause of death, while the incident is also being investigated by the homicide squad, following standard protocol for deaths happening while in police custody. CCTV footage from he bar will also be taken into account during the investigation.