RODNEY KING FOUND DEAD

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1991 L.A. police beating victim Rodney King found dead
Reuters – 21 minutes ago



(Reuters) - Rodney King, whose 1991 beating at the hands of police led to deadly riots in Los Angeles the following year, was found dead in a swimming pool on Sunday in Rialto, California, police said.

King, 47, whose beating was captured on video by a bystander, was discovered by his fiancée, Rialto police Captain Randy De Anda said.

King's death was reported to police Sunday morning in Rialto, about 50 miles east of Los Angeles. Police pulled his body from the swimming pool but were unable to resuscitate him, De Anda said.

The Rialto police department is conducting a drowning investigation and De Anda said there were no preliminary signs of foul play.

King became a national figure in discussions on race and police brutality 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 filmed them. When the officers were cleared of brutality charges, riots broke out in Los Angeles, resulting in 53 deaths and an estimated $1 billion in damage. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Bill Trott and Will Dunham)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/ ... CZ20120617