A man who froze to death in police custody was "likely put in jail's freezer as punishment for hours", it is claimed.
Anthony Mitchell, 33, died inside Walker County, Alabama, US jail on January 26 just two weeks after he was arrested for attempted murder and threatening to harm others.
The inmate, who was mentally ill, was seen in shocking CCTV footage being dragged and shoved into a police car.
Anthony's family have since launched a lawsuit against the police who have called it "one of the most appalling cases of jail abuse the country has seen".
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency are currently investigating the man's death.
Police initially claimed Anthony was suffering from a medical issue but had been "alert and responsive" when he was taken to hospital.
However, his family allege the video contradicts the sheriff's original statement.
They claim the hospital staff at Walker Baptist Medical Center spent three hours trying to resuscitate him before he was pronounced dead.
A doctor's report has claimed the cause of Anthony's death was hypothermia.
In the lawsuit the doctor's report states: "'I am not sure what circumstances the patient was held in incarceration but it is difficult to understand a rectal temperature 22C while someone is incarcerated in jail.
"'The cause of his hypothermia is not clear. I do not know if he could have been exposed to a cold environment. I do believe hypothermia was the ultimate cause of death."
The family's lawyers are searching for answers amid claims Anthony allegedly froze to death in a prison cell.
"How does a man literally freeze to death while incarcerated in a modern, climate-controlled jail, in the custody and care of corrections officers?" lawyers asked.
The family claim he was stripped naked and shoved into a concrete cell for the duration was there.
The lawsuit states: "'The cell lacked a bed or other furnishing. There was only a drain in the floor that could be used as a toilet.
"The cell was bare cement, the equivalent of a dog kennel. But unlike a dog, Tony was not even given a mat to sleep on."
Anthony was arrested on January 13 after concerned family members contacted police over his erratic behaviour.
When cops arrived they found him on his front garden - but Anthony quickly pulled out a gun.
He allegedly shot an officer, ran off into the woods to hide in a shed, when police tracked him down.
Police said in a statement on Facebook at the time: "'This situation could have ended much differently if it weren't for the constant training of our department, incredible work by our dispatchers, assistance from other agencies, and the quick help of District Attorney Bill Adair's Office.
"Thankfully, the day ended with everyone safe."
Anthony was then taken to Walker County Jail on charges of attempted murder.
