According to the San Bernardino County coroner Rodney King’s death was the result of accidental drowning, although alcohol, cocaine, marijuana and PCP found in his system were contributing factors, authorities said Thursday.
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“The effects of the drugs and alcohol, combined with the subject’s heart condition, probably precipitated a cardiac arrhythmia and the subject, thus incapacitated, was unable to save himself and drowned,” the autopsy summary said. “There is nothing in the history or autopsy examination to suggest suicide or homicide, and the manner of death is therefore judged to be accident.”
King, whose beating by Los Angeles police in 1991 was caught on camera and sparked riots after the acquittal of the four officers involved, wasfound dead in the swimming poolat his Rialto, California, home on June 17, he was 47.
Rodney King Dead at 47
King was “in a state of drug and alcohol-induced delirium” and “either fell or jumped into the swimming pool,” according to the the autopsy report.
Rialto Police Capt. Randy De Anda told CNN and that the investigation into King’s death is closed, as no foul play is suspected.
King had dealt with drug and alcohol abuse and had starred on Celebrity Rehab just last year to try to combat his alcohol abuse. His brother believed that King had “been doing very well and was happy” when he promoted his book that was released on the 20th anniversary of the riots. He “seemed to have his life in order,” Zhan Paul King told investigators.
