Orenthal James “O.J.” Simpson, the former professional football star who was accused of killing his ex-wife and her friend in one of the most notorious criminal cases of the 1990s, has passed away at the age of 76.

The news of Simpson’s death was shared by his family on social media. “On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer,” they wrote. “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.”

In 1994, Simpson’s ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman were found brutally murdered outside her Los Angeles home. Simpson was charged with the double homicide, leading to a high-profile trial that gripped the nation. Despite substantial evidence against him, Simpson was acquitted of the criminal charges in 1995, though he was later found liable for the deaths in a civil lawsuit.

Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson’s marriage was marred by allegations of domestic abuse, and they divorced in 1992 after seven years together. The murders occurred just two years after their tumultuous split.

Simpson’s legal troubles did not end with the double murder case. In 2007, he was arrested in Las Vegas for armed robbery and kidnapping, for which he was convicted and sentenced to 33 years in prison. He was released on parole in 2017 after serving almost nine years.

Before his fall from grace, Simpson had been a revered NFL running back, playing primarily for the Buffalo Bills from 1969 to 1977. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.