This will not be known now for at least 6 weeks, as a number of toxicology tests will have to be carried out. An autopsy has been performed, but the results will only be released along with the results of the other tests.

Most of what we do know is negative information - eg, there were no signs of blood or a struggle near the swimming pool where he was found, and he is not known to have suffered from any condition that may have caused his death. The police have no reason to suspect foul play at this point; but whether illness or, for example, drug use may have played a part is what we will find out later.

Rodney King had a difficult life after he became internationally known as a victim of police brutality in 1991. He appeared on TV several times, but had further problems with the police and problems with drink and drugs at other times in his life.