A new Netflix docuseries, American Manhunt: OJ Simpson, which premiered on Wednesday, January 29, is making headlines. The four-part series focuses on the 1994 twin murders of Nicole Brown Simpson, the ex-wife of OJ Simpson, and her alleged lover Ron Goldman, and the murder trial that ended with the late football player’s acquittal, a controversial verdict that still sparks debate to date.
However, in a new interview, Floyd Russ, the project’s creator and director, gave insight into the contribution of the troubled athlete who died of cancer in 2024 to the project, as well as the sustained relevance of the tragic story despite the passage of time. Russ also hinted about OJ Simpson’s health, claiming that he didn’t tell his fans the truth about his health until death.
OJ Simpson was discreet about the severity of his health battles until his death
Russ revealed during a discussion with the New York Post that although the docuseries was released after OJ Simpson’s death, the majority of the work had been completed before his death in April 2024, and he was deeply involved in the project despite his deteriorating health. Throughout the production process, the athlete was engaged in a fierce battle for his life but refused to succumb to despair, maintaining a strong belief that he would triumph over his condition, much like he had navigated his past struggles.
The docuseries director added that, in the final days leading to Simpson’s death, Simpson concealed the severity of his health struggles, misleading his fans and followers about his condition as he remained active on social media, tweeting about sports, politics, and other topics, giving no indication of his private battles until he eventually passed away at the age of 76
OJ Simpson’s murder case and trial remains the biggest of its time
During the interview, Russ shared the reason he thinks the O.J. Simpson murder case still resonates with people thirty years after it had first gained global attention. He explained that the prevailing sociocultural atmosphere and the growing public interest in true crime have played a major role in keeping it relevant.
He also pointed out that the story is filled with references to racial tensions, domestic abuse, and the power struggles between the defense, prosecution, and law enforcement, all of which remain important and very popular subjects in everyday conversations.