LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – Rodney King, the black man who came to symbolize racial tensions in the United States after his 1991 beating by police led to riots in Los Angeles a year later, was found dead in a swimming pool yesterday in Rialto, California, police said. He was 47.
“Preliminary indications are that this is a drowning with no signs of foul play,” Rialto police said in a statement.
King was discovered by his fiance, Rialto police Captain Randy De Anda said. The San Bernardino County Coroner’s office will conduct an autopsy, authorities said.
King’s death was reported to police yesterday morning in Rialto, about 50 miles (80 km) east of Los Angeles. Police pulled his body from the swimming pool but were unable to resuscitate him, De Anda said.
King became known around the world after he and some friends were stopped by Los Angeles police on March 3, 1991, after a high-speed chase. King was beaten by baton-wielding officers while a bystander videotaped them. The video prompted a national debate on police brutality and race relations.
When the officers were cleared of brutality charges a year later, riots broke out in Los Angeles, resulting in 53 deaths and an estimated $1 billion in damage.
