Brother Rodney Dead At 47

Rodney King, whose videotaped beating by four police officers eventually sparked violent riots in Los Angeles two decades ago, was found dead this morning at age 47. King’s fiance, Cynthia Kelly, called 911 at 5:25 am after discovering his body.

King was thrust into the national spotlight in March 1991 after a videotaped assaulted at the hands of LAPD officers Theodore Briseno, Laurence Powell, Timothy Wind and Sgt. Stacey Koon made headlines.

The four officers were charged with assault with a deadly weapon and excessive use of force. Their acquittal on April 29, 1992 led to intense riots in Los Angeles, resulting in 53 deaths.

King fought a life-long battle with alcoholism, and had periodic run-ins with the law since the 1991 incident. He appeared on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew and Sober House, in an attempt to get clean. An interview with The Associated Press earlier this year painted a picture of a changed man:

I am 47. Rodney was 47. I have followed this story since the videotape was released early in the 1990s and was amazed by the injustice of it all, even when the evidence was irrefutable. Then OJ got free, then Michael Jackson and we understood how lopsided justice was in California - a further source of my ennui because if stupid ass celebrities can't be punished for their misbehaviors, then were is the sweet SCHADENFREUDE to enrich my life?