Orenthal James Simpson, also known as O.J. Simpson, died on April 10th, 2024 at 76 years old. Last year, the former football player famous for both his career and trial involving the death of his ex-wife, Nicole Simpson, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This cancer was the cause of his death.
O.J. Simpson gained national attention in 1994, following the brutal stabbing of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. After he was notified that he was the prime suspect in the case on June 17th, O.J. hid in the back of a white Ford Bronco while his friend drove in a low-speed chase followed by police. When O.J. arrived at his home, he was arrested and charged with the two murders. The chase was televised to 95 million people.
The trial began on January 24, 1995, with O.J. pleading not guilty. While millions watched the trial on television, prosecutors used evidence of domestic violence and a bloody glove left at Simpson’s home to argue his guilt. The defense argued that evidence had not been handled properly, stating that some evidence was planted by racist members of the Los Angeles police department. The jury found O.J. not guilty on October 2, 1995. Later, he had to pay the families of both Goldman and Simpson $33.5 million after a 1997 civil trial found him liable for their deaths.
While the Simpson family posted a statement on the social media platform X that he was surrounded by family, it was revealed that only one person was present at the time of his death. The identity of this close family member has not been revealed. After sharing the majority of their lives in the middle of national attention, Simpson’s family has stated that they want privacy and peace during this time of mourning.