A knife that was reported to have been found years ago at the Los Angeles estate of one-time American football star and former murder suspect O.J. Simpson might be a weapon used in a 1994 double murder case that transfixed the country.
According to entertainment website TMZ, which first reported the story, the knife was discovered in 1998 buried at the perimeter of Simpson’s former estate by a construction worker who was helping demolish the estate.
TMZ reports that the worker gave the knife to a police officer who was off duty and who never turned the knife in to authorities.
After retirement, that officer reportedly mentioned the knife to a co-worker. That person relayed the information to their superiors who demanded the officer turn over the knife.
The knife, which has been described as a folding buck knife, is reportedly very rusty and stained.
According to TMZ, there are signs of blood stains on the knife, which is now undergoing analysis for DNA and other residue by Los Angeles police.
While police declined to elaborate on the timeline of when the knife was recovered, Captain Andrew Neiman, LAPD Media Relations Officer, told reportes at a press conference that it was possible "the whole story is bogus from the get-go."
He also would not name the retired police officer or speculate on why the weapon had been given to police only in the past two months.
"We still don't know if that is an accurate account of how this item came into our possession," Neiman said. "If you are the individual that provided that knife we would love to have you contact our Robbery Homicide Division," he added.
Authorities have not described the knife but the celebrity website TMZ reported it was a folding buck knife.
In a televised trial followed by millions, Simpson was found not guilty of murdering his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.
Some information is from Reuters.