OJ Simpson has died aged 76 after a short battle with cancer.
The notorious murder suspect, who was later found civilly liable for the deaths of his ex-wife and her friend, passed away surrounded by his family at his home in Las Vegas on Wednesday night.
Simpson became one of the most infamous figures in America after he was charged with murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown and friend Ron Goldman in 1994.
An X post shared on his official account by his family said: ‘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.’
OJ Simpson died of cancer aged 76 on Wednesday, his family has announced. Pictured: Simpson in Las Vegas earlier this year
Simpson (pictured in his 1995 trial) became one of the most infamous figures in America after he was charged with murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman in 1994
It was previously reported that Simpson had been battling prostate cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. Pictured: Simpson in February 2024
Simpson, a former football running back who played 11 seasons with the Buffalo Bills, reinvented himself as an actor before Brown and Goldman’s murders.
Although cleared of the killings, his reputation was ruined forever and the latter part of his career was marked by a series of seedy ventures.
After being acquitted, Simpson went on to be found civilly liable for the murders and was later forced to pay out $33.5million in damages to the victims’ families.
He faced further legal troubles when he was sentenced to nine to 33 years behind bars for armed robbery in Nevada in 2008.
It was previously reported that the ex-NFL star was battling prostate cancer and undergoing chemotherapy.
He had been pictured looking frail on a number of occasions earlier this year while walking around his Las Vegas neighborhood.
OJ Simpson in a mug shot following his arrest in Los Angeles, California, US, 17th June 1994
Simpson was acquitted but later found civilly liable for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown. Pictured: The couple with two of their children at the Naked Gun premiere
Brown was found brutally stabbed to death outside her Los Angeles home along with friend Ron Goldman who was also killed
Simpson’s arrest was as sensational as his trial after he led cops on a 90 minute low speed chase across southern California after failing to turn himself in
Simpson’s family released a statement confirming his death on X on Thursday
But in February he released a video reassuring fans about his health.
Despite a successful NFL career, Simpson was best known for his acquittal following his high-profile murder trial in 1995, dubbed the ‘Trial of the Century’.
Simpson was charged with the deaths of Brown and Goldman, who were found brutally stabbed to death outside her Los Angeles home.
The circumstances around his arrest were equally salacious, with Simpson leading cops on a low speed chase after failing to turn himself in.
Millions tuned in to watch the 90 minute pursuit between cops and Simpson’s white Bronco across southern California, before his eventual arrest in Brentwood.
At trial, prosecutors argued Simpson was linked to the crime scene through forensic evidence, but he ultimately walked free with jurors voting to acquit him.
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