The phase transformation of red beta-Cu2HgI4 to the black alpha-phase at 67-degrees-C has been studied by X-ray powder diffraction. It is suggested that copper and iodine occupy the same tetrahedral positions in the alpha- and beta-phases, whereas mercury is statistically distributed over two crystallographic positions in the alpha-phase. Both phases may be described in space group I42mBAR. The phase transition has been studied by X-ray powder diffraction at elevated temperatures and disintegration of the alpha-phase may occasionally be found. The structure of the alpha-phase at 85-degrees-C was determined and refined by Rietveld full-profile technique to a Bragg R-factor = 0.064.