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Rodney King Dead at 47

Was found in pool by fiancee in possible drowning

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 17, 2012 10:24 AM CDT

(Newser) – Rodney King, the motorist whose videotaped beating at the hands of white police officers spawned riots that engulfed Los Angeles in 1992, has been found dead at the age of 47. Sources tell TMZ that King's fiancee found him dead at the bottom of the pool early today; responders removed King from the pool and attempted CPR, but he was pronounced dead a short time later. A drowning investigation is expected. (See his pool and videos from his past at TMZ.)

On April 13, 2012, Rodney King poses for a portrait in Los Angeles.
On April 13, 2012, Rodney King poses for a portrait in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
On April 13, 2012, Rodney King poses for a portrait in Los Angeles.
On April 13, 2012, Rodney King poses for a portrait in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
n this May 1,1992 file photo Rodney King, right, makes his first statement, pleading for an end to the rioting in South Central Los Angeles.
n this May 1,1992 file photo Rodney King, right, makes his first statement, pleading for an end to the rioting in South Central Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/David Longstreath,File)
Rodney King, the Los Angeles motorist whose beating by police was captured on videotape, smiles, May 1, 1992 in Beverly Hills.
Rodney King, the Los Angeles motorist whose beating by police was captured on videotape, smiles, May 1, 1992 in Beverly Hills.   (Getty Images)
A cop arrests a demonstrator April 29, 1992 after hundreds rioted after four officers were cleared of all but one charge in the beating of Rodney King.
A cop arrests a demonstrator April 29, 1992 after hundreds rioted after four officers were cleared of all but one charge in the beating of Rodney King.   (Getty Images)
This file photo of Rodney King was taken three days after his videotaped beating in Los Angeles on March 6, 1991.
This file photo of Rodney King was taken three days after his videotaped beating in Los Angeles on March 6, 1991.   (AP Photo/Pool,File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 122 comments
roadhog
Jun 18, 2012 12:21 PM CDT
Dr Rodney King was a great civil rights leader. I expect a national Rodney King Day and a statue on the mall in D.C. now that he's gone. The L.A. riots were, like the O.J. Simpson verdict; Great momements in black history.
Toria
Jun 18, 2012 7:35 AM CDT
SOME of the rather (usual) mean-spirited people on here, don't seem to really have a clue... Rodney King did NOT start the riots! He was beaten by cops, people waited for the verdict and were (IMO) understandably upset by the verdict rendered. Was it right to riot? NO! However, the whole thing did end up bringing to light some of the corruptness in the LA Police Department, as well as the racial injustices many have seen in their lives (that some people like to imagine are no longer there), and wanting justice, unfortunately tried to take that matter into their own hands... it is sad that the whole incident happened, but Rodney King DID speak out with what will forever be the legacy of his words, "can we all just get along?"... he did NOT condone the rioting, nor did HE incite it. Those of you haters out there, should take a long, hard look at your own life, because though you may like to think you are perfect... let me assure you... not ONE of us are! Food for Thought: The heart is like a garden. It can grow compassion or fear, resentment or love. What seeds will you plant there? ~ Buddha
Rattdog
Jun 17, 2012 4:05 PM CDT
Reginald Denny didn't know he was entering a war zone. If I had been driving that truck, they would have had to drag my ass out while I was going 60 MPH. Can you say road pizza?

 
Los Angeles • drowning • Rodney King • LA riots • Rodney King dead

 
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