LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Authorities have said that they believe Cynthia Kelley, Rodney King's fiancée, is not a suspect in his sudden death this weekend, and that there doesn't appear to be any foul play associated with his drowning.
However, TMZ is reporting that a close friend of King's is urging the Rialto Police Department to reassess Kelley's possible involvement in King's death, " because their relationship was volatile to the point King wanted to break up with her."
That close friend is identified by the gossip site as Damon Feldman, a long-time associate of King's who says that King had grown unhappy with his relationship with Kelley.
King and Kelley met when Kelley served on the jury that awarded King $3.9 million in a civil case. They have separated in the past, but became engaged in 2010.
Kelley says that she heard King fall in the pool early Sunday morning. Neighbors have said they heard yelling, but note it did not sound argumentative. King was fond of taking swims early in the morning and late at night.
Currently, King's death is considered an accidental drowning, but investigators say they are pursuing all leads. Cause of death will likely take weeks to determine, as toxicology tests are conducted to determine if King suffered from a medical condition, or if he was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at his time of death.