O.J. Simpson, America’s famous football star acquitted of murder in 1995, has died at the age of 76. This news comes just two months after O.J. dismissed rumors that he was in a hospice.
O.J. Simpson at his evidentiary hearing in Clark County District Court on May 13, 2013, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images
Former football star O.J. Simpson, 76, has passed away. His family announced the news on social media but did not elaborate further on the details. They only revealed that O.J. died due to cancer.
They posted their shared grief in a statement on O.J.’s official Twitter account, which read: “On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.”
The statement also mentioned O.J.’s family’s request for the public to respect their wishes for “privacy and grace.” Following O.J.’s death, reactions from public figures were prompt.
Caitlyn Jenner, linked to O.J. through their mutual connection with the late Robert Kardashian, one of O.J.’s defense attorneys, and Kris Jenner’s former spouse, expressed on X, “Good Riddance #OJSimpson.”
Fred Goldman, the father of one of the victims in O.J.’s past criminal case, downplayed the importance of OJ’s death and instead focused on the memory of his son.
A screenshot of Fred Goldman’s interview 12 News in 2017. | Source: YouTube/12NewsAZ
“This is just a reminder for us of how long Ron has been gone, how long we have missed him, and nothing more than that. That is the only thing that is important today. It is the pain from then until now,” he said.
A screenshot of Fred Goldman showing family pictures, including a photo of Ron Goldman, in an interview with 12 News in 2017. | Source: YouTube/12NewsAZ
In his final days, O.J. actively engaged himself both publicly and online, challenging rumors about his health. In February 2024, he posted a video on social media where he humorously dismissed claims he was in a hospice.
A screenshot from O.J. Simpson’s February 2024 video, where he dismissed rumors about being in a hospice | Source: X/TheRealOJ32
“Hey, X world! Hospice? HOSPICE?! You talking about hospice?” O.J. laughed. “No, I’m not in any hospice.” He also mentioned hosting friends for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas.
In November 2023, the public spotted O.J. walking on the streets of Las Vegas, holding an iPad. Dressed in a sweatsuit, sneakers, and a baseball cap, he appeared frail as he moved along.
The former NFL star was hunched forward appeared to be limping as he walked. O.J. reportedly used a cane to move around in prison in 2015, but the walking aid was absent on this walk.
O.J.’s public and legal impacts are embedded in the American cultural landscape. Initially famous as a celebrated athlete in the National Football League for 11 seasons, he was regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time.
However, O.J.’s high-profile career was tainted by the “Trial of the Century,” his 1995 murder trial involving the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald “Ron” Goldman, which captured the nation’s attention.
O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson at a party at the Harley Davidson Cafe in 1993 in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Ronald died tragically on June 12, 1994, alongside Nicole, just outside her Brentwood, Los Angeles home. Ronald, who worked at an Italian restaurant Nicole visited that night, went to her home to return a pair of glasses she had left behind.
A family photo of Ronald Goldman, who was murdered with O.J. Simpson’s ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, on June 12, 1994. | Source: Getty Images
The trial ended with O.J.’s acquittal after the jury deliberated for only a few hours. This event not only brought to light his personal life but also sparked widespread discussions about race, celebrity, and the justice system.
