O.J. Simpson, the Former NFL Star Acquitted in High-Profile Trial, Dies at 76 After Cancer Battle. “The family confirmed his passing, stating he passed surrounded by loved ones. They’ve requested privacy and understanding during this time,” read a statement on X. Earlier reports in February hinted at Simpson’s battle with prostate cancer, sparking speculation about his health. In response, Simpson posted a video denying hospice rumors but didn’t directly address cancer allegations.
“Regarding hospice? Who started that?” he chuckled in the video. His legacy as a football icon, dubbed “The Juice” by fans during his 11-season NFL career, became overshadowed by the 1990s trial for the murders of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.
In 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson, aged 35, and Ronald Goldman, aged 25, were discovered stabbed to death outside her residence in Los Angeles. The tragic events unfolded on June 13, 1994, when Goldman visited Brown Simpson’s home to return sunglasses left behind by her mother at the restaurant where he worked.
Both victims suffered multiple stab wounds, and their bodies were found the following day. Los Angeles police officers, investigating the murders, visited Simpson’s residence. Though he didn’t respond to their knocks, officers noticed a trail of blood leading to his car, along with bloodstains on the vehicle.
Once celebrated as a sports icon, Simpson’s reputation shifted dramatically from being a revered athlete to becoming a prime suspect in a murder case. Shortly after the murders, Simpson faced charges and attempted to flee arrest, sparking a notorious and lengthy police pursuit along Southern California’s highways in his white Ford Bronco.
His trial commenced in 1995 and captivated audiences nationwide, earning the moniker “trial of the century” due to its prolonged duration and spectacle-like nature. Opinions on the trial have remained divided over time. Some criticize the Los Angeles Police Department, alleging racial bias in their investigation, while others argue that Simpson’s access to top-tier legal representation enabled him to evade conviction for the crimes.