Shortly after the announcement of O.J. Simpson’s death at age 76 from prostate cancer in Las Vegas, Caitlyn Jenner took to social media to express her disapproval of the former NFL star. The former Olympic gold medalist and television personality tweeted “Good Riddance #OJSimpson” on the platform X, formerly Twitter, echoing sentiments she has publicly held for years.
Orenthal James Simpson, better known as O.J., lived a life marked by both fame and infamy. A celebrated NFL star and actor, his notoriety peaked following the 1994 murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, outside Brown’s Brentwood, Los Angeles condo. Despite compelling evidence presented during the criminal trial in 1995, Simpson was acquitted, a verdict that shocked and divided the nation. However, he was found liable for the wrongful deaths in a 1997 civil trial, resulting in a $33.5 million judgment against him.
Caitlyn Jenner, formerly married to Kris Jenner—Robert Kardashian’s ex-wife and a key figure in Simpson’s defense—has never been reticent about her views on Simpson. Robert Kardashian, who was a close friend and one-time legal counsel for Simpson, had his friendship with Simpson strain his family relations, especially with Kris, who believed in Simpson’s guilt. The tension that surfaced during and after the trial has left a lasting impact on the Kardashian family dynamics.
The relationship between the Kardashians and Simpson was once close, with familial ties and deep personal connections. However, the legal battles and public scrutiny severely affected these bonds, with the Kardashian family distancing themselves from Simpson in subsequent years.
Following the announcement of Simpson’s death, a statement from his family requested privacy. The family emphasized that Simpson died surrounded by his loved ones, marking a quiet end to a turbulent public life.
In response to Jenner’s tweet, social media saw a flurry of activity, ranging from support for her stance to reflections on the broader implications of Simpson’s trials on racial tensions and law enforcement practices in America.
The co-hosts of “The View” on Thursday, April 11 discussed Simpson’s death on their show, recalling their own memories of the infamous chase and trial. Co-host Sunny Hostin, who became a prosecutor partly due to the case, emphasized the sense of injustice she felt regarding the verdict. Alyssa Farah Griffin hoped that Simpson’s death might bring some peace to the victims’ families.
O.J. Simpson’s death closes a chapter on a saga that has captivated and sometimes polarized the nation for nearly three decades. The legacy of his trials continues to influence discussions about the American justice system and the media’s role in it.
Amidst discussions of Simpson’s death, there has been a call to remember the victims, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Attorney Gloria Allred, who represented the Brown family during the trial, emphasized the importance of not forgetting those who lost their lives.