OJ Simpson, whom Kim Kardashian's father saved from death row for double murder, dies

Former football player and actor OJ Simpson, best known for the high-profile murder case of his ex-wife and her lover, has died at the age of 76. Simpson's death was announced by his family on the social network X (formerly Twitter, banned in the Russian Federation).

"On April 10, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, passed away following a battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you respect their wishes for privacy and compassion," the statement said.

O. J. Simpson was an American football star and National Football League player. After finishing his sports career, he starred in commercials and films, and was friends with celebrities, including Kris Jenner and Robert Kardashian.

In 1994, following a police chase that was broadcast live on TV around the world, Simpson was arrested for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her lover Ron Goldman. O. Jay's trial lasted 11 months, and his lawyers included his close friend Robert Kardashian.

The team of lawyers managed not only to avoid the death penalty, which threatened the star in this case, but to achieve his complete acquittal. On October 3, 1995, the jury returned verdicts of "not guilty" on both counts of murder. Many legal experts of the time called the case "The Trial of the Century." A later civil trial still found O.J. responsible for the deaths of Nicole and young waiter Ron Goldman. The court ordered Simpson to pay a fine of $33.5 million. In 2008, Simpson was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to 33 years in prison. He was pardoned in 2017.

The story of the scandalous trial was subsequently reflected in the TV series “American Crime Story.”