A man who is believed to have killed himself on the M4 outside Bristol on Saturday had been arrested recently after being accused online by a self-proclaimed “online child protection team”.
Avon and Somerset police said they had made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after previous police contact with the deceased.
The man died on Saturday at about 6.40pm, police said.
The Guardian understands an online group alleges that during a livestreamed video the man attempted to engage in sexual activity with what he thought was a child.
He was subsequently arrested and was released from custody on police bail on Saturday. He had not been charged with any offences.
The group involved in the alleged sting said it had removed the livestreamed video.
In a post online they said: “Can we please respect his family and allow them to grieve. We did what we had to do and expose a pred, but unfortunately we have no control of what they decide to do following a sting.”
An inquest will open into the man’s death in due course.
In a statement, Avon and Somerset police said: “The death is being treated as non-suspicious and his next of kin are being offered support during this difficult time. Our thoughts and sympathies remain with them.
“A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following previous police contact.”
The force added: “We would ask people not to speculate during this time and to respect the family’s privacy.”
The Guardian has approached the online group and IOPC for comment.
