Well, the Mexican police first said Anton Alferov beat himself to death in a jail cell. Friends and family said officials then changed their story to explain the death, saying he fought with inmates.

Anton Alferov, a 35 year old naturalized American citizen originally from Russia, has died on October 29th in the custody of Mexican police under suspicious circumstances. Although the cause of death is still unknown, Mr. Alferov received blunt-force trauma while in police custody in Acapulco, Mexico.

Mr. Alferov was a professional circus athlete and worked for Sea World Orlando, Florida for many years and toured with Cirque du Soleil show OVO. He moved to Acapulco, Mexico in April 2012, entering the country on a US passport. He opened an acrobatic school “Extreme-Cirque”, teaching gymnastics and acrobatics. He often gave free lessons to local children at the Acapulco Sports Center.

According to Mexican authorities, Mr. Alferov was initially arrested for breaking and entering, and while in detention “went crazy.” The allegations go further to state that Mr. Alferov threw himself against the walls and bars of the cell, ripped a toilet out of the floor, and finally succumbed to his “self-inflicted” wounds.

Mexican media reports that police are keeping an extremely tight lid on this case, not even releasing the case number to the journalists. According to Mr. Alferov’s family and friends, he did not suffer from any mental disorders, nor had any issues with alcohol or illegal drugs.

Mr. Alferov’s family fears that the Mexican government plans to cremate his body without their permission to cover up any foul play. Mr. Alferov’s family wishes to have the body sent back to the United States so an official autopsy can be performed. The United States Embassy has been contacted to assist with this matter, but at this point not assistance has been rendered.

Officials in Alferov’s native country, Russia, have reportedly opened up their own investigation.