Terrance Briscoe, who died controversially in police custody, was a happy man and couldn't wait to become a dad, says his sister.
Louise Daniels, 33, spoke with AAP ahead of the funeral on Friday of her brother who died in police custody in Alice Springs on January 4 after being picked up with a group of friends for drunkenness.
He was discovered unconscious in his cell during a routine check just after 2am (CST) on January 5 and later pronounced dead at Alice Springs Hospital.
Mr Briscoe's death made headlines after two people arrested with him, Lance Dixon and Oscar White, came forward to say they had seen police beating him up prior to his death.
The death sparked protests against police brutality in Alice Springs.
Preliminary results of an autopsy did not indicate physical abuse, his family has said.
Speaking to AAP at the St Mary's town camp near Alice Springs where her brother lived, Ms Daniels said Terrance was a happy man whose girlfriend was pregnant at the time of his death.
'My brother told me that she was pregnant and she was going to have a baby for him, and he was really happy and proud,' Ms Daniels said.
'He wanted a boy.'
Ms Daniels backed claims made by others that police had beaten Mr Briscoe up on previous occasions and said he had a cut above his eye prior to his death.
'He told me that cut was from the police,' Ms Daniels said.
'One of the policeman hurt him for no reason,' she said.
An investigation into the death of Mr Briscoe is underway, with NT Chief Minister Paul Henderson promising it would be thorough.
