The Independent Police Complaints Commission ('IPCC') has been investigating the death of British reggae star Smiley Culture during a police raid at his home in Warlingham earlier this week. The Commission issued the following statement yesterday, Thursday 17th March:

"A post mortem examination has concluded that David Emmanuel, also known as Smiley Culture, died as a result of a single stab wound through the heart.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation into his death is ongoing.

The facts that have been established so far are that at approximately 7am on Tuesday 15th March 2011, four MPS officers went to Mr Emmanuel's house on Hillbury Road in Warlingham, Surrey to execute a search warrant.

Later the same morning, at approximately 8.30am, an ambulance was called to attend the address by the MPS officers. An air ambulance crew arrived but Mr Emmanuel died at the scene.

The case was referred to the IPCC and an independent investigation was launched. IPCC investigators went to the scene and oversaw Surrey Police's Scenes of Crimes Officers gathering forensic evidence. The IPCC also commissioned an independent scientific expert to examine elements of the scene. An IPCC investigator was present throughout the post mortem.

Independent investigators have examined the first accounts given by the MPS police officers who were at the address when the incident occurred. Further detailed accounts will be obtained from the officers later today.

Forensic experts are examining items which have been recovered from the address including the knife.

IPCC Commissioner Mike Franklin said: "I send my condolences to Mr Emmanuel's family and friends. I understand their concerns and am under no illusion about the seriousness of this case, its impact on them and the wider community.

"This investigation is examining the basis on which MPS officers went to Surrey to carry out the search warrant on Tuesday, how that was planned, how it was communicated with Surrey Police and what happened while officers were at the address. It is also looking at the response of the officers present to examine what was done in terms of first aid.

"The independent investigation will be studying forensic evidence and all other possible lines of enquiry to try to establish a factual account of exactly what happened.

"Many of the questions that I know Mr Emmanuel's family and friends have are exactly what we will be examining as part of this investigation. I want to reassure people that we will thoroughly scrutinise this incident and will update all those involved as we progress. I will also make the findings of our investigation public at the earliest opportunity. Until then, I would ask that speculation is avoided."

The IPCC is in the process of setting up a Community Reference Group which will be kept updated with progress of the investigation and will have the opportunity to feedback any questions or concerns to the IPCC."

A separate statement from the police issued on Tuesday said the raid was part of an ongoing operation, and that the man who died was 48.