Rodney King, whose videotaped beating shook the world in 1991, is dead at age 47, NBC News has confirmed.

King’s fiancée reportedly called 911 to their home in Rialto, California shortly after 5:20 a.m. Sunday morning to report that King was lying at the bottom of the swimming pool. Police arrived within minutes and attempted CPR, but King was unresponsive, NBC News reports. King was transferred to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:11 a.m. Pacific time. There were reportedly no signs of foul play, but police are beginning a drowning investigation.’

King came to prominence in 1991 after he was beaten by Los Angeles police officers in an incident captured on videotape by an onlooker. The trial of the officers, which resulted in their acquittal, sparked the L.A. riots — days of violence that became a symbol of civil and racial unrest, and police brutality. King, attempting to quell the violence, said during a press conference, “can’t we all just get along?”

King had several subsequent arrests and had difficulties with alcohol abuse, but had recently released a book.

TheGrio will have more on this breaking story as it develops.

Article source: http://thegrio.com/2012/06/17/rodney-king-dead-at-47-found-by-fiance-in-bottom-of-pool/