FBI releases OJ Simpson files that have been secret for decades

Never-before seen FBI files on OJ Simpson have revealed the extensive information and efforts that were made to collect evidence in the infamous case. 

Simpson was cleared of murder charges of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in 1995, following a high profile trail which captured the nation's attention.

He was later found civilly liable and ordered to pay the victims' families $33.5 million. He maintained his innocence until his death in April aged 76.

A new 790-page document released this week shows the lengths the FBI went to collect evidence on the former star, including collecting multiple fabric as well as hair samples. 

A handwritten document from August 1994 shows that the Los Angeles Police Department had collected multiple cloth swatches as well as car fibers from a white Ford Bronco at the time. 

Debris from Nicole's dress, debris from a bag containing Goldman's shirt, debris from a cap and socks from OJ's residence as well as hair samples from the victims' head, arms and eyes were also taken in as evidence by cops, according to another document from September 1994. 

After thorough examination, results indicted: 'These hairs/fragments exhibit the same microscopic characteristics as hairs found in the K7 specimen and, accordingly, could have originated from ORENTHAL J. SIMPSON, the identified source of the K7 hairs.

'No other hairs like specimen K7 were found on or in items submitted from the victims, crime scene and glove recovered outside the O.J. SIMPSON residence.

'A light brown Caucasian head hair that is microscopically dissimilar to those found in specimens Kl and K4 was found in the Q3 debris. This hair could not be associated to RONALD GOLDMAN or NICOLE SIMPSON.' 

Officials also collected vacuum debris from the driver's seat from the car for testing.

The files also reveal the huge effort investigators put in to identify the shoes worn by the killer.

According to Black Vault, a report from October 1994 suggests that FBI was asked to assist in tracing the sale of the murderer's infamous Bruno Magli shoes across the United States and Puerto Rico. 

'FBI Laboratory Examiners have been able to conclude, through examination of bloody footwear impressions left at the SIMPSON homicide crime scene, that the murderer wore size 12 Bruno Magli, style 'Lorenzo' or 'Lyon' shoes'​​, the report noted. 

Agents dispatched to the factory were also briefed, 'under no circumstance should the interviewing agents mention that this investigation concerns OJ Simpson or the homicide investigation in Los Angeles, California'.

A previous file release from May 2024 further includes two rambling letters dated June 1994, written by an individual claiming to have visions about the killings.

'I can't sleep at night. The dreams that I have, where pieces of the puzzle fall into place. And the ultimate dream that the killer is still out there and is after me,' one reads. 

The FBI publishes records it keeps on individuals following their death.

Simpson became one of the most infamous figures in America after he was charged with the 1994 murders.

He became the star of the 'Trial of the Century' which gave the world its first glimpse at reality TV.

Viewers were gripped for the 11 month trial, which featured several outrageous twists and turns.

Judge Lance A. Ito's decision to allow a single camera in his courtroom arguably affected the case and provided daily salacious soundbites and memorable clips from grandstanding attorneys and emotional witnesses. 

Defense attorney Johnnie Cochran delivered the one of the most notable lines during the trial in his closing argument that has carried into pop culture: 'If it doesn't fit, you must acquit'.

He was referring to the gloves that were found at the crime scene that he said couldn't have been OJ's because his hand was too big. 

Simpson, a former football running back who played 11 seasons mostly with the Buffalo Bills, reinvented himself as an actor before Brown and Goldman's murders.