Tyson's four-year-old daughter dies after accident

The four-year-old daughter of former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has died after being found with a cord around her neck in an apparent accident at her home, police said last night.

"Exodus Tyson was pronounced deceased at 11:45 a.m. (1845 GMT) today at the hospital. Our sympathies go out to the family," police spokesman Andy Hill said in a statement.

Media reports said Exodus Tyson was playing near some exercise equipment when she got tangled in a power cord or a rope hanging from a treadmill on Monday.

The girl was home with her mother and it was her seven-year-old brother who found her tangled in the cord.

Exodus' mother freed her from the cable and tried to revive her. The girl was rushed to a Phoenix hospital in critical condition.

Tyson was not in Phoenix at the time, but was shown on television arriving at the hospital later that day.

Following her death the family issued a brief statement to various US media outlets.

"There are no words to describe the tragic loss of our beloved Exodus," the family said.

"We ask you now to please respect our need at this very difficult time for privacy to grieve and try to help each other heal."

Former heavyweight boxing champion Tyson, 42, who retired in 2005 after a career marred by controversy, has six children by several different women.