Court orders return of Iroc Avelli's backpack after four-year dispute

Former O.J. Simpson bodyguard Iroc Avelli is set to brief reporters Thursday after a Hennepin County prosecutor directed police to return a backpack held in custody for more than four years. Avelli says the bag contains previously unreleased recordings and documents tied to the Simpson case, and he plans to discuss the legal fight and show the backpack publicly.

Why it matters: - The backpack is at the center of a long-running legal fight over property seized during a 2022 arrest. - Avelli says the contents include previously unreleased recordings and documents connected to the O.J. Simpson case. - The return could expose materials Avelli considers significant to the case and to his claim that the seizure was improper.

What happened: - Hennepin County prosecutors directed police to return Iroc Avelli's backpack after more than four years in custody. - Bloomington Police seized the backpack during Avelli's March 3, 2022 arrest. - Avelli will hold a news conference Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT outside Bloomington Police Department headquarters in Bloomington, Minnesota. - The event will stream live on Iroc Live. - Avelli and attorney Adam Hagedorn plan to speak at the briefing.

The details: - Avelli has said the backpack contains personal property, digital media and other confidential materials. - The backpack was held in police custody for 4 years, 4 months and 13 days. - Avelli and Hagedorn will discuss Bloomington Police body-camera footage. - Avelli will display the backpack publicly for the first time since it was returned. - The briefing will include questions from media after the remarks. - Visuals will include Avelli displaying the returned backpack and B-roll related to the recovery. - Media contact for the event is Robb Leer of Leer Communication & Consultants at 612-701-0608.

Between the lines: - The dispute appears to be about more than just a bag of personal items; Avelli is framing the contents as potentially case-related material with public interest value. - The planned release of body-camera footage and live-streamed remarks suggests Avelli wants to control the first public account of what was recovered. - The timing of the announcement, immediately after the backpack's return, points to an effort to turn the legal outcome into a media event.

What's next: - Avelli said he will explain why he believes the backpack's contents are significant and outline his next steps. - Reporters are expected to question Avelli and Hagedorn after their prepared remarks. - The livestream is expected to provide the first public look at the backpack since its return.