O.J. Simpson death updates — Former American football player acquitted for killing Nicole Brown & her friend dies at 76
FORMER NFL player O.J. Simpson has tragically died at 76.
Simpson gained notoriety in particular for the 1994–1995 murder trials in which he was charged with the deaths of ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman.
He was found not guilty on all counts in one of the highest-profile criminal cases in history.
The former running back spent 11 seasons in the NFL playing for only the Bills and San Francisco 49ers.
He was 76 at the time of his death.
Follow our O.J. Simpson death updates blog for the latest…
Cause of death revealed
This week, prostate cancer was identified as OJ Simpson's cause of death.
On April 10, the contentious former actor and athlete passed away. He was cleared of any involvement in the 1995 death of his wife.
Simpson, who passed away at the age of 76, said that he received the diagnosis last year.
Did OJ Simpson write If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer?
If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer follows the supposedly hypothetical description of Nicole Brown Simpson's and Ron Goldman's murders.
Screenwriter Pablo Fenjves wrote the book which he said was based on extensive discussions with OJ Simpson.
However, Simpson's former manager, Norman Pardo, claimed that Simpson was not involved in writing the book.
The Goldmans published a new edition of the book in 2007, which included essays written by members of the Goldman family, a member of the Goldman family legal team, and O.J.’s ghostwriter.
Arnelle Simpson pictured
Arnelle Simpson is the eldest daughter of OJ Simpson and his first wife, Marguerite Whitley.
Credit: Goff
What Arnelle has said about her dad
Arnelle Simpson was the first to take the stand during OJ's trial in 1994 when he was accused of murdering his second wife, Nicole Brown — describing him as "emotional," "distraught" and "out of control" when he learned of her death.
She also spoke out during OJ's parole hearing in 2017 after he was jailed for an armed robbery at a Las Vegas hotel in 2007, pleading for him to be released so her family could "move forward".
Arnelle described him as her "best friend" before saying: "As a family, we recognize he's not the perfect man, but as a man and a father he has done his best to behave in a way that speaks to his overall nature and character.”
What Arnelle Simpson does for a living
It has been almost impossible for any of OJ's children to live a normal life, as Arnelle revealed in the 2014 interview with Georgia Newsday, saying she worked “for a rapper called Hash for a while and then produced some fashion shows.”
She explained that she was in the process of looking for a new job, location and life.
Speaking about the family's financial situation at the time, she continued: “The home is gone! All the money went to attorneys anyway. There was no point to keep it. It went for for closure. It's gone."
There have been no more recent reports about her career and what she's been up to since.
What to know about OJ Simpson's daughter Arnelle
Arnelle Simpson, the daughter of OJ Simpson and his first wife Marguerite Whitely, was born on December 4, 1968.
She had two siblings — Jason, born on April 21, 1970, and Aaren, born in September 1977.
In a tragic turn of events, Aaren died on August 27, 1979 at only 23 months old. She died at the UCLA Medical Center eight days after she was pulled out of the family's swimming pool unconscious.
Arnelle recalled what life was like before her father's arrest for 'the crime of the century', telling Georgia Newsday in 2014: "Back then we were the first black family in that neighborhood in Brentwood.”
She remained close to her father and even managed his finances until his death in April 2024.
Arnelle also appeared in several documentary series, including the 2014 series OJ: Trial of the Century, and reportedly encouraged her father to write his infamous book, If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer (2007).
'Guilty without question'
Though the former USC teammate found it difficult to reconcile the humble OJ Simpson of old with the arrogant OJ accused of murder that he was seeing on his screen, Bob Jensen said there was no doubt in his mind that Simpson was guilty.
"He was guilty without question," said Jensen.
"And you could see he had changed. He was aggressive [...] to the judge, and he wasn't humble, and he wasn't taking responsibility.
"I never knew that side of him at USC but I knew he had changed, and something had changed in him during his time in Hollywood.
"He went over the edge and killed those people. He went off the chart and was just a completely different guy.
"It's such a shame."
OJ's former teammate was 'shocked' by police chase
Bob Jensen said he was slack-jawed and dumbstruck as he watched police chase Simpson in the iconic broadcast.
"I was playing in a tennis tournament, and when I was done, my wife called me from the hotel and said, 'Quick, quick. Get up here! You're not going to believe this!'
"And here's Al Cowlings driving the Bronco with police cars and helicopters following them. It was unbelievable.
"Not only did I know these guys, they were my patients, and I showered with these guys back in the day.
"It was so difficult to believe – and then the trial came."
OJ Simpson’s USC teammate speaks out, part three
Bob Jensen said somewhere in the late 80s, just as OJ Simpson's acting career was taking off after landing a role in The Naked Gun, he believes something within his old teammate changed – with Simpson getting sucked into the Hollywood bubble and the hot air being blown his way by sycophants dangerously inflating his ego.
"After this Hollywood thing, his personality just changed," said Jensen.
"Some way, somehow, something changed in him and he snapped.
"I don't know, maybe got into himself, being this Heisman Trophy winner-actor and then suddenly thought he was above the law?
"I don't understand how someone can go from that to this. I'm just shocked.
"I'm still shocked to this day; I can still remember being in a hotel room and seeing his Ford Bronco being chased by police on the news."
OJ Simpson’s USC teammate speaks out, part two
Bob Jensen said the then 19-year-old was no egomaniac or hot head. Instead, he was a humble, intelligent, and charismatic teammate with a killer desire to win.
"He was very humble, very, very sharp and you could just tell there was something different about him," said Jensen, 76.
"You can see why he made it into the movies and all things like that because he had a handle on everything. He was such a nice guy and you could tell he was destined for something big."
The two teammates, who shared a close bond, took separate paths at the end of college with Simpson being drafted to the Buffalo Bills in 1969 as the first pick.
Jensen almost followed Simpson into the league with an offer from the Dallas Cowboys but opted to enroll in dental school instead and later became Simpson's dentist after opening a practice in South Orange County.
Simpson remained his friendly, personable self despite his flourishing NFL career, according to Jensen.
OJ Simpson's USC teammate speaks out, part one
Bob Jensen was a linebacker for the USC Trojans from 1967-69 and spent two of those years playing alongside the late OJ Simpson during the team's legendary run under coach John McKay.
During Simpson's two seasons with the Trojans, they went 19-2-1 and made two Rose Bowl appearances, with Simpson carrying the ball a staggering 674 times in just 22 games for 3,423 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Simpson won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 and solidified himself as one of the most dominant running backs in college football history.
Jensen told The U.S. Sun that Simpson's star power was evident from the moment he transferred to USC in 1967.
Justin Ryan Simpson works in real estate
After graduating, Justin Ryan Simpson began pursuing a career in real estate.
He joined the Muffley and Associates real estate company in 2013 and worked as a sales professional until 2015.
Justin then joined another real estate company in Florida and worked there for three years till 2018.
He later founded his own company, Bolder Property Management, which has been in operation since 2018.
Justin currently lives in Florida and owns numerous properties.
Justin Ryan Simpson has one daughter
In February 2022, Justin Ryan Simpson announced that he was expecting a child with his partner Alycia Browne.
He posted a photo of himself and Browne with a picture of the baby's ultrasound.
Justin wrote in the caption: "So, we did a thing. We are extremely excited, scared, nervous and in love.
"In only a few short months we will be welcoming little Lana and can’t wait for you to meet her.
"Every bit helps, especially tips and pointers from all you parents out there."
Browne confirmed their baby's arrival in October 2023 by sharing an Instagram pic of a mini chair which had Lana Nicole written on it - the middle name a likely tribute to Justin's late mother.
What OJ Simpson said about his son
OJ Simpson spoke about his son Justin in an interview in 2004.
He said: "I’ve often said he’s the finest kid I’ve ever known."
When asked about whether he spoke to his children about Nicole's death, OJ replied "never".
He added: "When Justin's got other things on his mind, he has a tendency to turn it inward.
"And he'll go to his room and do what he has to do."
Despite his father's kind words the pair's relationship was a mystery and the two were hardly seen together in public.
What to know about OJ Simpson's son Justin
Justin Ryan Simpson, 35, was born on August 6, 1988, and is OJ's youngest child.
He was just five years old when his mother Nicole was murdered outside of their house as he slept.
Justin was thrust into the limelight as a young boy after his dad was accused of allegedly murdering his ex-wife.
During the trial, Justin was raised by his grandparents along with his sister as they tried their best to keep them away from the media frenzy surrounding the family.
Justin would later attend high school in Florida before graduating from Florida State University with a Bachelor's degree in 2010.
Watch Tawny Kitaen reveal book plans before her death
Tawny Kitaen reveals she was writing a tell-all memoir in final interview just weeks before tragic actress' sudden death at 59Tawny Kitaen died at 59
Tawny Kitaen passed away suddenly at the age of 59 on May 7, 2021.
She died at her Newport Beach home and her daughters Wynter and Raine confirmed her death in a statement.
It said: "We are heartbroken and saddened to announce the death of our mom.
"We just want to say thank you for all of you, her fans and her friends, for always showing her such support and love.
"You gave her life everyday. We miss her and love her and we know her legacy will live forever."
It was later confirmed that her cause of death was dilated cardiomyopathy which is a common type of heart disease.
OJ Simpson and Tawny Kitaen stayed in contact
OJ Simpson and Tawny Kitaen reportedly stayed in contact after their affair.
Tawny is said to have still contacted OJ after he was acquitted of the murders of Nicole and her friend Ron Goldman in 1995.
Knowledge of their sexual relationship became public during his subsequent civil trial in 1997.
What happened between OJ Simpson and Tawny Kitaen?
Tawny Kitaen is an American actress, who was born on August 5, 1961.
She began an affair with OJ Simpson during his marriage to Nicole Brown Simpson.
It was also revealed that a lot of the affair occurred while Nicole was pregnant.
It was alleged that one of the reasons for their fling was that Nicole gained weight during her pregnancy.
OJ Simpson pictured with ex-wife Marguerite Whitley
OJ Simpson and Marguerite Whitley were married from 1967 to 1979.
'He's just not like that'
During that same interview, Marguerite Whitley also stated that she believed her ex-husband to be innocent of murdering Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman.
"He's just not like that," she said.
Whitley did notably attend OJ's trial, sitting next to their surviving children.
Aside from the 20/20 interview, she never publicly spoke about OJ or their relationship, and all but disappeared from the public eye following the trial.
Whitley currently resides in California and has a home in Fresno.
Marguerite Whitley was 'willing to testify' for OJ
Marguerite Whitley couldn't escape the shadow of her first husband, at least during interviews with the media.
Whitley shot down rumors of abuse or aggression – on OJ's part – during a January 1995 interview on 20/20, as reported by Vogue.
Whitley told Barbara Walters that she would be "willing to testify" that OJ had never hit her during their relationship.
“If he did, he would have got a frying pan upside his head,” she said.
"There was just no way that I would allow that to happen to me," she added.
Where is Marguerite Whitley today?
Like OJ Simpson mentioned, Marguerite Whitley preferred a life out of the spotlight.
After the duo divorced, Whitley ended up marrying a transit supervisor named Rudolph Lewis.
The couple tied the knot in 1986, though their marriage was relatively short-lived, and they divorced in 1991.
On April 3, 1992, Whitley married a furniture sales representative named Anthony Thomas.
Marguerite Whitley and OJ Simpson had three kids
Marguerite Whitley and OJ Simpson were married for 12 years and welcomed three children during their relationship.
The couple were parents to:
- Arnelle L. Simpson, born on December 4, 1968
- Jason Lamar Simpson, born on April 21, 1970
- Aaren Lashone Simpson, born in September 1977
In a tragic turn of events, the couple's youngest child, daughter Aaren, died on Monday, August 27, 1979, at just 23 months old.
She passed away at the UCLA Medical Center eight days after she was initially pulled out of the family's swimming pool, unconscious.