OJ Simpson died surrounded by members of his family, including his four children, two of whom he fathered with Nicole Brown Simpson, his ex-wife who he was found responsible for slaughtering in a 1995 civil trial, according to a new report.
Simpson, 76, died Wednesday night in Las Vegas after a battle with prostate cancer. The legendary running back and later actor was the prime suspect in the 1994 murder of Nicole and of her friend, Ron Goldman.
TMZ reports that in order for family, friends and even medical personnel to be present during Simpson’s final days in hospice care, they were required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Last Friday, carers alerted Simpson’s family to tell them that he had taken a turn for his worst.
At some point over the next five days, his children, Jason and Arnelle, fathered with his first wife Marguerite Whitley and his children with Nicole, Sydney, 38, and Justin, 35, rushed to be by his side.
Little is known about Sydney and Justin’s relationship with their father. It’s unclear how much time the trio spent together since Simpson’s release from prison on theft charges in 2017.
OJ Simpson was in-and-out of the hospital in the six months leading up to his death during which time he also contracted pneumonia
OJ Simpson pictured with his ex-wife Nicole and their blended family at the premiere of Naked Gun 33 1/3 in 1994, just three months before her murder
Simpson’s home in Las Vegas were he died Thursday at the age of 76 surrounded by members of his family
In addition to the NDA agreements, well-wishers were not allowed to bring their cell phones into the room with him. Around 30 – 50 paid their respects, despite that he could not really speak and was in-and-out of conciousness, during his last few days, according to TMZ’s report.
Simpson first mentioned his battle with cancer during a 2023 video posted on X but then didn’t really mention it. TMZ reports that despite his advancing years, Simpson continued to live as he did previously.
Since late 2023, Simpson was in-and-out of the hospital and even contracted pneumonia at one point. His last visit was in 2024.
Simpson was immediately the prime suspect in Nicole’s murder in 1994 following numerous reports of domestic violence.
A criminal-court jury found him not guilty of murder in 1995, but a separate civil trial jury found him liable in 1997 for the deaths and ordered him to pay $33.5 million to relatives of Brown and Goldman.
The criminal case was a media sensation. Simpson was charged with murder, but before surrendering, he led police on a slow-speed chase across the freeways of Los Angeles.
The so-called Bronco Chase, named for the white vehicle he rode in, was televised in prime time and became the first of many TV moments in the bizarre saga that engrossed America.
‘I’ve had a great life, great friends,’ he said in what many believed was a suicide note written just before he set out in the Bronco. ‘Please think of the real O.J. and not this lost person.’
The acquittal was viewed by millions on TV and on a Jumbotron in New York’s Times Square. President Bill Clinton took a break from meetings to watch.
Simpson’s efforts to resume his old life were undermined by Ron Goldman’s family.
They believed Simpson was guilty and pursued their wrongful death lawsuit relentlessly. In a civil trial, a jury found Simpson liable for the murders and ordered him to pay $33.5 million in damages to the Goldmans and Nicole Brown Simpson’s family.
Hundreds of valuable possessions were seized as part of the award, and Simpson was forced to auction his Heisman Trophy, fetching $230,000. He never could pay off the $33.5 million, saying he lived only on his NFL and private pensions.
‘The money is not the issue, it never has been,’ Goldman’s father, Fred Goldman, said. ‘It’s making certain that one man, the man who murdered my son and Nicole, is held responsible by a court of law.’
In a statement Thursday, Fred Goldman and his daughter Kim noted that with Simpson’s death, ‘the hope for true accountability has ended.’