OJ Simpson Dies — Family Speaks Up with a Request in the Wake of His Passing

Former football star O.J. Simpson, 76, has passed away. His family announced the news on social media but did not elaborate further on the details. They only revealed that O.J. died due to cancer.

They posted their shared grief in a statement on O.J.’s official Twitter account, which read: “On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.”

The statement also mentioned O.J.’s family’s request for the public to respect their wishes for “privacy and grace.” Following O.J.’s death, reactions from public figures were prompt.

Caitlyn Jenner, linked to O.J. through their mutual connection with the late Robert Kardashian, O.J.’s defense attorney, and Kris Jenner’s former spouse, expressed on X, “Good Riddance #OJSimpson.”

Fred Goldman, the father of one of the victims in O.J.’s past criminal case, downplayed the importance of OJ’s death and instead focused on the memory of his son.

“This is just a reminder for us of how long Ron has been gone, how long we have missed him, and nothing more than that. That is the only thing that is important today. It is the pain from then until now,” he said.

In his final days, O.J. actively engaged himself both publicly and online, challenging rumors about his health. In February 2024, he posted a video on social media where he humorously dismissed claims he was in a hospice.

“Hey, X world! Hospice? HOSPICE?! You talking about hospice?” O.J. laughed. “No, I’ll die in any hospital. I don’t know who put that out there… can’t trust the media!” He also mentioned hosting friends for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas.

In November 2023, the public spotted O.J. walking on the streets of Las Vegas, holding an iPad. Dressed in a sweatsuit, sneakers, and a baseball cap, he appeared frail as he moved along.

The former NFL star appeared limping as he walked, and his back was bent. O.J. reportedly used a cane to move around in prison in 2015, but the walking aid was absent on this walk.

O.J.’s public and legal impacts are embedded in the American cultural landscape. Initially famous as a celebrated athlete in the National Football League for 11 seasons, he was regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time.

However, O.J.’s high-profile career was tainted by the “Trial of the Century,” his 1995 murder trial involving the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald “Ron” Goldman, which captured the nation’s attention.

Ronald died tragically on June 12, 1994, alongside Nicole, just outside her Brentwood, Los Angeles home. Ronald, who worked at an Italian restaurant Nicole visited that night, went to her home to return a pair of glasses she had left behind.

The trial ended with O.J.’s acquittal after the jury deliberated for only three hours. This event not only brought to light his personal life but also sparked widespread discussions about race, celebrity, and the justice system.

Following the trial, in 1997, the families of the victims sued O.J., holding him responsible for their deaths. The court awarded them a $33.5 million judgment, of which they ultimately received only a small portion.

Amid the highs and lows of O.J.’s life, one of his five children, Arnelle Simpson, stood by him. At a 2017 parole board hearing in Nevada, O.J.’s daughter spoke warmly about her father, following his involvement in a 2007 armed robbery. She described him as her ‘best friend’ and ‘rock.'”

Arnelle highlighted her dad’s positive outlook despite adversities. She said, “As a family, we recognize that he is not the perfect man, but he is clearly a man and a father who has done his best to behave in a way that speaks to his overall nature and character, which is always to be positive no matter what.”

At the time, Arnelle also emphasized her father’s remorse and the family’s longing for his return, adding, “On behalf of my family, my brother, my sister, an aunt, an uncle, and his friends, we just want him to come home. We really do.”

Arnelle was one of the three kids of O.J.’s first marriage to Marguerite Whitley. The former pair’s other kids are named Aaren and Jason. Arnelle also has half-siblings, Sydney and Justin, from O.J.’s later marriage to his late ex-wife Nicole.

Little is known about the whereabouts of Arnelle and her siblings. Meanwhile, Sydney and Justin are well-established in St. Petersburg, Florida, as noted in a 2016 Tampa Bay Times article.

Sydney is reportedly active in real estate. She owns several properties, including a house and multiple duplexes on Coquina Key. Justin works as a realtor with Coldwell Banker in St. Petersburg.

In addition to O.J.’s court appearances and on social media before his death, another moment involving O.J. also captured the public’s attention.

After O.J. was released on bail in 2017, he was seen only a few times, at sporting events. He was also seen carrying groceries in October last year when publications reported him looking frail.

Although he was rarely seen publicly, O.J. had an excellent social media presence. He posted videos on X and updated his fans on his life and his opinions about the current state of the NFL.

O.J.’s past X videos showed him discussing a tactic one of the teams had used. O.J. felt the tactic meant to show the players how to play according to their game plan would only inspire hesitancy.

He ended the three-minute video by giving some advice about the older players in the team and signing off by assuring them that there was always next week. He then told viewers to take care.

Apart from O.J.’s tumultuous life, his relationships sparked public curiosity. While many are familiar with his second marriage to Nicole, less was known about his first marriage to Marguerite Whitley.

O.J.’s first wife worked as an interior designer. She owned a mauve house on San Vicente Boulevard in Los Angeles, which was later foreclosed following court proceedings.

Marguerite and O.J. were together for 12 years and welcomed three children. Unfortunately, their marriage faced many challenges, and the death of one of their children profoundly changed their lives forever.