A man who was in detention on charges of manslaughter died of illness in east China's Fujian Province Friday evening, local police said Saturday.

The suspect, surnamed Chen, was found sick in his cell at a detention center in Lianjiang County at 6:05 p.m. Friday, the public security bureau in the provincial capital Fuzhou said in a press release.

Chen was sent to the county hospital after first-aid provided by doctors at the center. He died in hospital at 7:10 p.m.

An investigation into Chen's death has been launched by the procuratorates at the city and county levels.

Chen was detained on Jan. 31, a day after he allegedly killed his father-in-law over family trifles.

Police said he had a history of mental disease.