Former NFL star O.J Simpson, full name Orenthal James Simpson is dead. He was 76 years old.
Regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time, O.J. was widely known for his trial and controversial acquittal for the murders of his former wife Nicole Brown, and her friend Ron Goldman in 1994.
A statement from his family read; “On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.”
On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer.
He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.
-The Simpson Family
— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) April 11, 2024
In May 2023, O.J. shared a video on X that he had recently “caught cancer” that he was going through chemo, and that it looked like he beat it.
Later in February 2024, It was reported by a Las Vegas station that O.J. was undergoing treatment again. However, O.J. denied the rumors that he was in hospice through a video he posted on X.
Hospice??? pic.twitter.com/OXLzs9jWO6
— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) February 9, 2024
Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman murders
Nicole was O.J.’s ex-wife. On June 12, 1994, Brown and her friend Ron Goldman, were found stabbed to death outside Nicole’s house in Brentwood, L.A.
O.J. was immediately considered a person of interest in the murders. Police got a warrant for O.J.’s arrest and was scheduled to turn himself in to the Parker Center police headquarters on June 17. However, he didn’t turn himself and that resulted in a low-speed chase by police.
At the time of the car chase, O.J. was a passenger in a white 1993 Ford Bronco SUV, which was owned by his longtime friend Al Cowlings. O.J. was armed in the back of the vehicle with a pistol, holding it to his head and threatening to shoot himself if he was not taken back to his Brentwood estate.
The car chase was broadcast live by TV stations with over 95 million people watching.
O.J. was eventually acquitted of the charges. His defense team consisted of Johnnie Cochran, Robert Kardashian, Robert Shapiro, and F. Lee Bailey. Over 100 million people tuned in to watch or listen to the verdict announcement.