O.J. Simpson Dies at 76 After Battle with Cancer, Family Announces

O.J. Simpson, the former NFL star whose life was marked by both athletic triumph and infamy following his trial for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, has passed away at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer, as confirmed by his family.

According to a statement released by his family on social media, Simpson succumbed to cancer on April 10th, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. The family has requested privacy during this time of mourning.

“On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer,” the family said. “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 statement said.

Simpson’s life was defined by both his success on the football field and his tumultuous legal battles off it. In 1994, he became embroiled in one of the most sensational criminal trials in U.S. history after the murders of Brown Simpson and Goldman. Despite his acquittal in the highly publicized trial in 1995, Simpson was later found liable for both deaths in a civil trial and ordered to pay millions in damages to the victims’ families.

The trial, which captivated the nation with its live TV coverage, showcased the legal prowess of attorneys on both sides, including Johnnie Cochran, F. Lee Bailey, Marcia Clark, and Chris Darden. Simpson’s arrest, subsequent trial, and eventual acquittal in the “trial of the century” left an indelible mark on American culture.

Live TV coverage of his arrest after an infamous slow-speed chase in a white Ford Bronco began a stunning fall from grace for the sports hero. The public was then amused as they followed the “trial of the century” on live TV.

Following his legal troubles, Simpson’s life continued to be marked by controversy, including his 2007 arrest and conviction on armed robbery and kidnapping charges in Las Vegas, for which he served nine years in prison before being released on parole in 2017.

Reactions to Simpson’s Death

News of Simpson’s passing elicited a range of reactions from those who were intimately involved in his legal saga. Fred Goldman, the father of Ron Goldman, expressed his ongoing grief over the loss of his son, stating, “It’s no great loss to the world. It’s a further reminder of Ron’s being gone.”

Alan Dershowitz, a member of Simpson’s defense team during the murder trial, lamented the news of Simpson’s death, acknowledging the divisive nature of the trial and its enduring impact on American society.

“I knew he was very sick, so I’m upset that he died…It was one of the most divisive trials in American history along racial lines.”

In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Keith Zlomsowitch — Nicole Brown Simpson’s ex-boyfriend — said Simpson’s death was a “relief.”

Zlomsowitch served as a pallbearer at her funeral.

“I think finally some sort of justice has been served, that he’s been taken from the earth,” Zlomsowitch said. “So it doesn’t bring Nicole back. But it means he can no longer be who he is in this world.”

Who was O.J. Simpson?

O.J. Simpson, born on July 9, 1947, in San Francisco, California, began his football career at the University of Southern California (USC), where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1968.

He then went on to have a successful NFL career, primarily with the Buffalo Bills, where he earned numerous accolades and set multiple records. Simpson’s talent on the field propelled him to fame, leading to opportunities in acting and broadcasting.

He appeared in films such as “The Towering Inferno” and “The Naked Gun” series, showcasing his charm and charisma beyond the gridiron.

Simpson’s Final Days

In the days leading up to his death, O.J. Simpson was reportedly surrounded by family, including all of his living children, who gathered at his bedside. Despite the contentious nature of his relationship with Nicole Brown Simpson, their children Sydney and Justin were among those who visited him during his final days, along with his two older children from a previous relationship.

Sources close to Simpson revealed that friends and family, numbering between 30 to 50 individuals, visited him in person to bid farewell, signing non-disclosure agreements to respect his privacy during his final moments.

As the nation reflects on O.J. Simpson’s life and legacy, his passing serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of his legal saga on American culture and society.