The man whose videotaped beating by police officers led to the 1992 Los Angeles riots has been found dead in his swimming pool.
Rodney King was surrounded and beaten by police officers in the city on March 3, 1991. The incident was caught on camera.
Four officers involved in the incident were acquitted of using excessive force the following year, and the verdict sparked riots which left more than 50 people dead.
Rialto Police captain Randy Deanda said King was found "unresponsive" at the bottom of his pool on Sunday morning.
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding King's death, and an investigation will now be opened.
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| King's lifeless body was found in the pool at his home in Los Angeles |
King suffered brain damage during the police beating, and successfully sued the City of Los Angeles for £2.5m.
Speaking ahead of this year's 20th anniversary of the riots, King said racism still has to be challenged.
"There's always gonna be some type of racism. But it's up to us as individuals in this country to look back and see all the accomplishments that we have gotten to this far."
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| The 1992 riots left more than 50 people dead |
Asked about his feelings toward the police officers who beat him, he said: "I have forgiven, because America has forgiven me for so many things and given me so many chances.
"You get to have a second chance, and I've been given a second chance," said King, who has had a number of brushes with the law since 1992.
"I have much respect for (the police), much respect... some of them went out of their way over the years to try to make it up to me. Not all of them is bad."
