LAPD assault victim Rodney King found dead, aged 47

Published Jun 17 2012, 17:11 BST  |  By Alison Rowley

Rodney King, who was assaulted by LAPD officers in an incident that sparked the Los Angeles riots 20 years ago, has died.

King, 47, was found dead at the bottom of a swimming pool by his fiancée, reports CNN.

The beating that King received at the hands of police officers after a high-speed car chase in 1991 was captured on camera, and the case was taken to court.

The four officers involved in the incident were acquitted the following year, and the public announcement of the verdict led to the Los Angeles riots.

King also sued the city of Los Angeles and was awarded $3.8 million (£2.4m) in damages.

Police in Rialto, California are said to have received a 911 call from King's partner Cynthia Kelly at 5.25am this morning (June 17).

Responding officers found King at the bottom of the pool, removed him and attempted to revive him. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Capt. Randy DeAnda told CNN that there were no preliminary signs of foul play and no obvious injuries on King's body. Police are conducting a drowning investigation, and a full autopsy will be carried out.

"His fiancée heard him in the rear yard," explained DeAnda, "and found King in the pool when she went outside."

Watch the footage used in King's case against the LAPD officers below: