Former National Football League (NFL) star OJ Simpson, who shocked the world after being accused of the double murder of his former wife Nicole and her friend and then getting acquitted, has died at the age of 76.
He was suffering from cancer and passed away on Wednesday surrounded by his children and grandchildren, his family announced on X.
"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," his family's statement said.
A 1960s and '70s star celebrated around the planet, Simpson had a dramatic downfall after he was accused of murdering his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman in Los Angeles in 1994.
In what was dubbed by Americans as the "trial of the century," prosecutors attempted to prove Simpson killed his ex-wife in a fit of jealous rage, presenting blood and hair samples, even blood-stained gloves, in court.
His lawyers argued police had attempted to frame him because of what they alleged was racism and ultimately he was acquitted amid much controversy.
OJ was in the news again in 2008 as he was convicted of armed robbery. Though he received a sentence of 33 years, he was granted parole after serving nine years.
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