US

Rodney King Found Dead

Rodney King dead

In 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, in Los Angeles. (AP File Photo)

Rodney King was found dead at the bottom of his swimming pool early Sunday, authorities have confirmed. He was 47.

According to CNN, police in Rialto, Calif. received a 911 call from King’s fiance, Cynthia Kelly, at approximately 5:25 a.m. Officers found him in the pool and attempted to revive him; he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Capt. Randy DeAnda told CNN there were no preliminary signs of foul play or any obvious injuries on King’s body. Police are treating the case as a drowning investigation; an autopsy will be performed.

DeAnda said King’s fiance “heard him in the rear yard” and found him in the pool when she went outside.

The 1992 acquittal of four Los Angeles police officers accused of brutally beating King during a traffic stop touched off several days of race riots in the city. In all, 55 people were killed, 2,300 injured and 1,500 buildings damaged or destroyed.

This post has been updated since it was first published.

Comments (274)

1 2 3 ... 7
  • Devildog1039
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 12:07pm

    Well is either SINK or Swim in this world, I guess he chose SINK.

    Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 1:41pm

      Not helpful.

      But consider that Rodney King for all his faults had a better chance at healing racial divisions than Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson or Barack Obama.

      Now that is a damning statement.

      Report Post »  
    • mwhaley
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 1:44pm

      Well, at least he missed the gas chamber the NBP was talking about.

      Report Post »  
    • iampraying4u
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 1:54pm

      Now they will have to have a rodney king day

      Report Post »  
    • Dirty Harry
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 1:59pm

      Lmao!

      Report Post »  
    • KoolAidDrinker
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 2:25pm

      @Walkabout

      I agree….for all his faults, he will be missed… Rest In Peace Rodney…..

      Report Post » KoolAidDrinker  
    • Thomas
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 2:35pm

      This no good lowlife caused alot of people to loose their lives in the LA Racist Riots. There are many rap stars who made their carriers off murder also.

      Watch this video of these racist bigots.

      http://youtu.be/Arr4_6pcf5I

      Report Post » Thomas  
    • rochesterruler
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 2:48pm

      @ thomas This lowlife caused the race riots? You must be an idiot. I guess it had nothing to do with the police beating the **** out of him ,when they could have put cuffs on him . Such ignorance. I do agree that this man with all his faults could heal the racial divide more than The reverends Al and Jesse. Some folks should keep their mouths shut if they have nothing intelligent to say.

      Report Post »  
    • turkey13
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 3:20pm

      Who says there is no God or Justice. All the times he’s been pulled over while bombed out of his mind. It’s only the lords work that have saved families that were in his sight and made him swerve the other way. That could have been your family or mine that wasd a bare miss. Librels feel sorry for people like him untill it affects you. It’s like Will Smith going along with Obama on Q_ueers getting married – it was fine untill one of them tried to tounge him.

      Report Post »  
    • arvadadan
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 3:21pm

      @rochesterruler If he had let him self be arrested without fighting the rest would never have happened.

      Report Post » arvadadan  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 3:47pm

      Did a Whitney Houston…In a bigger bathtub.

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • t00nces2
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 5:40pm

      Sounds to me like I see a sequel to “White Men Can’t Jump”….

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 6:20pm

      KoolAidDrinker

      I agree….for all his faults, he will be missed… Rest In Peace Rodney…..
      ___
      Exactly. RIP

      The groundwork for the riots were not created by Rodney King. there were created by Democrat policies, bad community (dis) organizer/race baiters & bad cops ( a fraction of the police force).

      I like Rodney King better than I do any member of the black congressional caucus, most Democrat representatives, and RINOs

      Report Post »  
    • fldennis2004
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 6:45pm

      the blaze love this divide….beck himself love it….black is ugly white is right….go glen ….u a hero to white folk…lol

      Report Post »  
    • NLN
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 7:17pm

      Cant’s us all jest gets along. Too funny. I guess the taxpayers will have to spend a few more of our tax dollars to bury the sob. God knows his trial cost us enough.

      Report Post »  
    • toto
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 10:06pm

      FLDennis, until blacks denounce those among them that are total losers instead of making heros out of them, things will not get better. Whites tend (not always) to jettison those that are an embarrassment to human kind, not make heros of them, blacks, not so much.

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 10:44pm

      White people beat up or lynch a black guy in this country? You won’t hear it here, but in American history that’s been pretty common. It’s only news because America is getting a little better in that way.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • BrownWaterVet
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 3:22am

      Sorry, what goes around comes around.

      Semper Fortis

      Report Post »  
    • Macman1138
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 5:14am

      “Rockfish” Rodney King finally made good in his taxpayer-funded pool.

      Report Post » Macman1138  
    • FlamingFartSyndrome
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:18am

      Well its obvious none of you have actually spent the time to watch the Rodney King footage. The cops beat the shi.t out of him and he was not resisting arrest.

      Report Post » FlamingFartSyndrome  
    • joe conservative
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:33am

      This was one of the biggest examples of media malpractice I’ve ever witnessed. Rodney King was dealt with harshly, but the media left out the earlier portion where he was the clear aggressor, charging at the police repeatedly. Sorry for his family’s loss, but the media created a great divide in this country with the way they spun this story.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KYopiOWbjs

      Report Post » joe conservative  
    • Lloyd Drako
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:59am

      Rodney King was in no way responsible for the LA riots. He had his troubles with the law, but does not seem to have been a “lowlife” or a “total loser.”

      Somewhere in or around LA, there ought to be a short street or a small park named after him, or a modest monument in his honor, with the words “Can’t we all get along?”

      Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
    • retiredguy1952
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:16pm

      The media will soon determine that his drowning is all Whitey’s fault (wait for it……..)

      Report Post »  
  • J_Evan
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 12:07pm

    I guess alcohol isn’t more buoyant that water. Tsk,tsk.

    Report Post » J_Evan  
    • Dustoff
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:10am

      You’ve got to wonder, what was he doing in the pool at 5 in the morning?

      Report Post » Dustoff  
  • streetrodder
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 12:00pm

    Another chance for Jessie and Al the Justice Bros. to get there muggs on TV.

    Report Post »  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 4:54pm

      I agree! Rodney had made a statement that resonated for years! He didn’t start the riots the talking heads did! They reved up the base!

      Report Post »  
    • Capitalist Mama
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:29am

      JHayden,

      He certainly helped start the riots. If he hadn’t have kept fighting the police, there would have been no incident.

      2 other black men were in the car with Rodney King who fled from the cops on the high speed chase. When they finally stopped, the other two men got out of the car and quietly surrendered to police. No beatings AT ALL. Only King fought and only King was beaten BECAUSE HE KEPT RESISTING ARREST. Research the history of it.

      Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 12:00pm

    He was no Michael Phelps.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • Cadcamtrainer
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:54am

    Bush’s fault. If Obama had a son, he would have looked just like Rodney King……

    Report Post »  
  • Individualism
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:52am

    don’t blame whites blame the cops they did it not us. there the thugs not normal civilians trying to raise a family.

    Report Post » Individualism  
    • Bob_R_OathKeeper
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 1:11pm

      A question mark does not go at the end of your stupid statement either.

      Report Post » Bob_R_OathKeeper  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 1:22pm

      @Bob_R_OathKeeper

      You can tell when he copy and pastes statements and when he types using his own brain. : )

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • Rayblue
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 1:28pm

      “Elbows” was a nice touch.
      Personally, I think they use sledgehammers.

      Report Post » Rayblue  
    • Joey8
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 1:34pm

      @individualism
      You had me at “9-11 was an inside job”. LOL

      Report Post »  
    • Individualism
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 3:28pm

      i understand you folks need work and i can understand why your saying what your saying, to save and keep your job.

      Report Post » Individualism  
    • aggiebrewer
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 4:15pm

      individualism….quit while you’re a behind.

      Report Post »  
    • maynardb61
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 4:46pm

      22 civilian deaths, scores of injuries, and about a Billion dollars in damages caused by civilians!!
      Not the cops!!

      Report Post » maynardb61  
    • Individualism
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 8:22pm

      there is no threat to worry about right now. the goverment just keeps making them up for power grabs and stealing our rights from the constitution and were not falling for them.

      Report Post » Individualism  
    • Bob_R_OathKeeper
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 5:56am

      I wonder why my posts were deleted from this thread? (INDIVIDUALISM) There was nothing bad in those posts. I think you were embarrassed, as you should be.

      Report Post » Bob_R_OathKeeper  
    • Teufel Hunden
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:40am

      What’s up there gate keepers at the Blaze, you delete replies because some little whining troll aka INDIVIDUALISM doesn’t like the replies?

      Report Post » Teufel Hunden  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:47am

    This man lead such a troubled life placing himself in harm’s way so many times in the past, that I am surprised that this did not happen sooner. Now is the chance for the race pimps to rake in their final millions while blaming so many who had nothing to do with this character. I expect his funeral to have more media personalities than relatives and family friends and they will turn it into a circus.

    Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 1:27pm

      Hi RJJ,

      You’re probably right on those thoughts. I hope he’s finally at peace.

      Happy Fathers Day RJJ…

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 1:31pm

      Hi RJJ,

      Also, did you notice Rodney King’s eyebrows in the photo? They seem a bit too high and fake compared to the photos I’m seeing on TV today. Strange….

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • teebubba
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 3:25pm

      Well so much for hysterical reactions by the liberal media. At the time of his beating Rodney Kng was portrayed by the media as a “Black Insurance executive”. Today it is finally revealed that he was “on parole for robbery”. Sound familiar….

      Report Post » teebubba  
    • ENIGMA28724
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 9:15pm

      Is it going to be whitey’s fault again? Mr King could have avoiding the “tune-up” the LAPD gave him if he had just complied with the officer’s commands, not that I suggest their conduct was proper. Did the news media tell anyone about the other suspect in the car who complied and had not a hair on his head out of place? Of course not. The media is as much to blame as the LAPD for the riots that followed. Mr King’s early demise was to be expected. I am surprised he didn’t implode sooner, but we all have our demons. He will be missed by his family and friends.

      Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 9:20pm

      Happy Father’s Day to you as well Monk, and thanks. My son and I did share in that “Tell On Me” video a little while ago with a lot of laughing.
      Will have to go back and look at his eyebrows to check that out. I would think that will all of the crap he has been through I wouldn’t doubt that his facial features have changed over the years.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 9:22pm

      Oh yeah, I should say Happy Father’s Day to all fathers here. This is a heart felt wish to all fathers, regardless of political affiliation. Hopefully, you and your families have had a great day.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • munacra
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:45am

    BUSH’s FAULT!!!

    Report Post » munacra  
  • Teufel Hunden
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:38am

    He wasn’t trying to steal some chain was he?

    Report Post » Teufel Hunden  
  • Ron Staiger
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:33am

    George Bush did it!

    Report Post »  
    • cracker_
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:47am

      Or Matt Drudge or the ghost of Andrew Breitbart or anything else other than King’s fault.

      Report Post » cracker_  
  • bikerdogred1
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:30am

    Why do I get feeling drugs are involved and beat by the ace of spades.

    Report Post »  
  • dissentnow
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:27am

    King was not a good person. The media turned him into a sympathetic iconoclastic figure but he was nothing more than a bottom of the barrel hood. He had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as a history of violence, once shooting a man that he was robbing, as well as running over his wife with a car. On top of everything, he was a race baiter, interjecting himself in the Trayvon Martin case.

    Report Post »  
    • Jenny Lind
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 12:26pm

      Even an idiot can be used for good. LA had had problems for a long time and the police in East LA were doing whatever they wanted, good or bad din’t matter. For those of you who didn’t live in the area (born in LA, raised in Culver City) you would not have believed the racism and hate that went on, on both sides. Nothing that happened was right or good, but some good things came out of it. It really was better over time. Now I think the whole let’s get along is going backward, and I know right where to lay the blame. Hope this miserable, used soul finds peace at last.

      Report Post »  
    • booger71
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 1:03pm

      Nothing that happened was right or good, but some good things came out of it
      ==============
      Like the white truck driver who was pulled out of his truck and beaten?

      Report Post » booger71  
    • Jenny Lind
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 10:42pm

      I would remind you, Rodney King was not in the mobs. During that time I grew up a lot and realized that I had been wearing blinders to what was going on, for example, red-lined real estate,where black people couln’t live. I realize there are injustices, and wicked black preachers who preach hate. There are white ones too.No matter how bad it gets, I am not going backwards and hate someone for the color of their skin, I intend to do as MLK taught and judge by character. I saw Rodney King as a sad, used, and miserable person. later on in his life he seem to have done a bit better, but no one on this blog is perfect, and some of the comments here are not making things better. I lived 8 blocks from these riots-they weren’t allowed into Culver City-different police force. I have never forgotten the smell of that smoke. It wouldn’t hurt to remember words written on this blog are read by people who will judge us.

      Report Post »  
  • Cryinthewilderness
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:23am

    Justice comes in the end. Live by the guns die by the guns. What goes around comes around.

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:34am

      Maybe he just didn’t belong in the deep end of the gene pool!!!

      Report Post »  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 1:29pm

      The Blaze showing its hatred and ignorance once again.

      It’s like clockwork.

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 2:20pm

      @Mod,

      Should you really be criticizing anyone else for making comments you find to be in bad taste?

      I mean really………..after all the crap you have spewed about Christians in general, and Catholics specifically?

      And nice touch with that broad brush you like to paint with Dicasso.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 5:02pm

      @Billy

      I will post here what I posted on page 2.

      “Exactly. I may disagree with people vehemently on this site especially when it comes to religion.

      That being said, when I read stories about Christians dying, I don’t use it to take cheap shots at the way they lived their life by saying such frivolous things like, “Oh where’s your God now?” or anything of the like. I am respectful and sympathize with the surviving members.

      The majority of the Blaze posters can’t say the same. Yet I’m the immoral one here?”

      There is a clear distinction between saying mean things and then making such remarks on stories about someone who I may disagree who has died.

      The Blaze posters miss no opportunity, in life or in death to make such remarks.

      And can we please stop with the “painting a broad brush” crap. When I come on here and see 80% of the people saying the same garbage, I’m not going to go out of my way to say, “oh there’s 2 nice people here.” Most people on here don’t give Muslims the same benefit of the doubt(and don’t deny that this is true).

      Secondly, while there are a few people have been respectful, they haven’t denounced the majority of the people on here who are idiotic and make stupid remarks.

      I have always remarked how I disagree with actions of an Atheist on stories of vandalism, attacks or remarks.

      Report Post »  
    • Mr. Oshawott
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:34am

      @ModerationisBest

      Amen to that, the Blazers that made statements that are racially tinged and/or celebrating Rodney King’s death should really be ashamed of their vile posts. Sure, he had his faults, but so does every other human being on earth.

      Report Post » Mr. Oshawott  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 1:44am

      @Mod,

      Blah, blah, blah……..same old crap from you, different day.

      You are often in here spouting vile and snide comments, then when you are called out on them, you write a book trying to justify and explain why it is ok to do so. All the while patting yourself on the back.

      Mod, many of us have read the same atheist instruction manuals that you have. Amazon has a bunch of them. You, and many of the others here follow them to a tee. It’s almost entertaining to watch.

      Your motives are clear, and your tactics are transparent.

      Have you convinced any believers lately to admit to you that it just might be possible that they have been wrong, and that GOD does not exist?

      :o)

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
  • Apple Bite
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:19am

    No, I can’t go there.
    Anyones death when they lead a hard life struggling with personal demons is tough to celebrate. May peace be with his family. Not sure what happened, other than the fact is no longer with us.

    Report Post » Apple Bite  
    • Winedude
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 1:54pm

      Well put…my sentiments exactly. I feel bad for the family and can’t really celebrate anything here.

      Report Post »  
    • gtcogic
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 6:41pm

      I agree with you wholeheartedly.

      Report Post »  
    • Turin
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 7:20pm

      I agree. RIP Mr. King. My condolences to your family and friends.

      Report Post » Turin  
  • nolefan2
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:18am

    I’m sorry for his family. How long will it be before the NBPP blames it on whites?

    Report Post »  
  • Look4DBigPicture
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:16am

    Oh man … NOW we’ll have to listen to all the 15 year old Rodney King police brutality stories for the next two weeks, instead of actual news … like the Supreme Court decisions on important legislation.

    Report Post »  
    • hatchetjob
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:23am

      You got that right. While our country is being destroyed.

      Report Post » hatchetjob  
  • helicop
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:14am

    Hopefully the New Black Panthers will follow the leader.

    Report Post »  
  • BlazeGlory
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:12am

    Do you suppose he wasn‘t intelligent enough to realize he didn’t know how to swim?

    Report Post » BlazeGlory  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:12am

    We all have our time and we all die alone.
    RIP.

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
    • 22AUTOMATIC
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 12:53pm

      One of the biggest stories of my childhood. The trial/riots along with the Challenger disaster and a couple of other major happenings are forever embedded in my mind. Looking at the story with fresh eyes and some years behind me now makes me see the entire episode in a different and more mature way from when I was younger; with age comes wisdom and understanding. Rest in peace Rodney King.

      http://lockerz.com/d/9285875

      Report Post » 22AUTOMATIC  
  • Bob_R_OathKeeper
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:07am

    Was it white water?

    Report Post » Bob_R_OathKeeper  
    • helicop
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:15am

      If it was, race hustlers Al and Jesse will let us know.

      Report Post »  
    • Altair
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 2:54pm

      Whatever , the water acted stupidly.

      Report Post »  
  • randy
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:06am

    Whatcha wanna bet it wasn’t a white on black hate crime?

    Report Post » randy  
  • The Knave
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:05am

    guess he couldn’t get along…..

    Report Post »  
  • Steel Monkey
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:04am

    Who cares! I am sure it will be related to his butt kicking the night he decided to eat some PCP and take on a group of cops! Lead a thug life, die a thug! Meaningless story when more notable people are also passing.

    Report Post »  
  • The_Plumber_Says
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:04am

    It’s a start……..

    Report Post » The_Plumber_Says  
    • Mobuy
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:19am

      This is unnecessary. Don’t be such a jerk.

      Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on June 17, 2012 at 11:03am

    Was it a white Hispanic ?

    Report Post »  
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