Authorities have pledged to launch a thorough investigation into the death of a cook, which caused a riot last weekend in Shishou, Hubei province.

The pledge came as local government officials were working to broker a compensation deal between the Yonglong Hotel and the family of Tu Yuangao, 24, the hotel's cook, who was found dead after a fall from the third floor of the hotel on June 17.

Tu's family refused to let his body be taken away by police for days after authorities allegedly tried to cover up the murder as a suicide.