Forensic Scientist Henry Lee Dies

Henry Lee, a renowned forensic scientist known for his involvement in high-profile cases like the O. J. Simpson murder trial, has died at the age of 87. Lee passed away peacefully at his home in Henderson, Nevada, following a brief illness. He taught at the University of New Mexico for over 50 years, where he helped establish its forensic science program and founded a forensics institute. Despite his fame, Henry Lee's work faced scrutiny in his later years. A 2023 federal court ruling found him liable for fabricating evidence in a 1985 murder case in United States — Connecticut, which led to the wrongful imprisonment of two men for decades. Their convictions were later vacated, and the state of United States — Connecticut agreed to a $25 million settlement. Additionally, a Los Angeles County judge ruled in 2007 that Henry Lee had hidden or destroyed evidence in the Phil Spector murder trial. Henry Lee consistently denied any wrongdoing, suggesting that blood traces might have degraded over time.