The Immigration Department has refused to release detailed information relating to the sudden death of a New Zealand man in Villawood Detention Centre in April this year.

Key points: Immigration Department refuses to release details about the death of Robert Elan Peihopa in Villawood Detention Centre

Immigration Department refuses to release details about the death of Robert Elan Peihopa in Villawood Detention Centre There are claims the New Zealand man was involved in a fight before he died

There are claims the New Zealand man was involved in a fight before he died Inquest to be held into his death

Witnesses say Robert Elan Peihopa was found dead on the night of April 4 with blackened eyes, a laceration across his face and boxing straps on his hands.

At the time, the Immigration Department said he had died from a suspected heart attack. It has since acknowledged it was aware of claims of a fight in Villawood but is waiting to see the report from the coroner.

7.30 requested details of the circumstances surrounding the 42-year-old's death via a Freedom of Information request, after speaking with several witnesses who said Mr Peihopa had been involved in a fight in another man's room shortly before his death.

But the department has only released one heavily censored report, citing personal and safety reasons for its redactions.

It also refused to hand over the post-incident review from SERCO, the security company that monitors the facility.

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The Immigration document, obtained by 7.30 and titled "Preliminary review of Mr Robert Elan Peihopa's sudden death on 4 April 2016 at Villawood Immigration Detention Centre" shows that security guards from SERCO were called to a medical emergency at 9:43pm.

According to ambulance records at the time, an ambulance was called at 9:48pm and arrived on the scene at 10:00pm.

"The Detention Assurance Team (DAT) notes that this incident is subject to being treated as a 'crime scene' and is also subject to a coroner's inquest being a 'death in detention'," the three-page review said.

Hera Peihopa wants to know how her son Robert died.

The review suggests Mr Peihopa had existing health issues, yet six paragraphs explaining the alleged altercation before his death have been redacted.

The report notes that information obtained by the Department of Immigration in relation to the alleged altercation was handed to New South Wales Police, however the information is also censored.

NSW Police confirmed no charges had been laid in relation to Mr Peihopa's death.

A police spokeswoman told 7.30 a brief of evidence had been handed to the coroner.

Mr Peihopa's mother Hera Peihopa was told by the Immigration Department that her son had died from a heart attack in the facility's gymnasium. Ms Peihopa told 7.30 that she refused to believe that.

"I was told that he did not die of a heart attack from the coroner's office," she said.

"I don't want his death to be swept under the carpet and I don't want him to be forgotten, you know, as being just another detainee that we don't have to worry about."

A mandatory inquest into his death will be held but a date has not been set yet. The matter will be next reviewed on November 11.

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