O.J. Simpson has died after a “battle with cancer,” his family announced on Thursday (April 11). He was 76.
Simpson, nicknamed "The Juice," was accused and ultimately acquitted of the 1994 murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman.
"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," a statement from his family said.
Highlights
- O.J. Simpson has died at 76 after a battle with cancer, his family confirmed.
- Simpson, acquitted in the 1994 murders of his ex-wife and her friend, had revealed he was undergoing chemotherapy.
- Simpson served nine years of a 33-year sentence for a 2007 armed robbery case.
O.J. Simpson, the former football star who was accused and ultimately acquitted of killing his ex-wife and her friend, has died after a battle with cancer
Image credits: Jason Bean-Pool/Getty Images
Image credits: Jason Bean-Pool/Getty Images
In May 2023, the former football star posted a video on X (formerly known as Twitter) revealing that he had recently "caught cancer" and "had to do the whole chemo thing."
"It looks like I beat it," he added at the time. Simpson didn't specify what type of cancer he had.
Last February, he took to social media to share an update regarding the disease, saying, "My health is good. I mean, obviously I'm dealing with some issues but I think I'm just about over it."
On June 12, 1994, Simpson's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, were brutally stabbed to death outside of Goldman’s home in Brentwood, Los Angeles.
The former football player, actor, and broadcaster ultimately surrendered to police following a 60-mile, low-speed police chase viewed by 95 million people, and stood trial for the murders.
He was acquitted in October 1995 after an 11-month trial, dubbed "the trial of the century," which was televised daily and followed by millions of Americans.
Simpson was acquitted in October 1995 after an 11-month trial, dubbed "the trial of the century," which was televised daily and followed by millions of Americans
Image credits: Getty/Focus on Sport
Image credits: o.j. simpson
Prosecutors argued that Simpson killed Nicole in a fit of jealousy and presented extensive blood, hair, and fiber evidence linking him to the murders.
Meanwhile, the defense maintained that he was framed by racist white police officers.
Two years later, a civil court declared him responsible for the deaths and ordered him to pay compensation of $33.5 million.
In September 2007, Simpson was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, after he led a group of men into a Las Vegas hotel and casino to steal, at gunpoint, what he claims was his own sports memorabilia.
The Buffalo Bills star was charged with a number of felony counts, including kidnapping and armed robbery.
A year later, Simpson was found guilty and sentenced to 33 years in prison. In July 2017, he was granted conditional release after serving the minimum of his sentence (nine years).
Simpson played 11 seasons in the NFL, nine of them with the Buffalo Bills, where he became known as “The Juice” as part of an offensive line referred to as “The Electric Company.” He earned four NFL running back titles.
The controversial player is survived by four children: Arnelle and Jason, from his first marriage, and Sydney and Justin, from his marriage to Nicole Brown Simpson.
Many people believe that the controversial football player was guilty of the murders
