OJ SimpsonThe cause of death has been announced. According to reports, the former NFL star and controversial public figure died of metastatic prostate cancer. His family announced his death on April 11, a day after his death his four adult children by his side.
Malcolm LaVergne, longtime attorney for the former Hall of Fame football player and Executor of his estateHe confirmed the cause of death People. “I was pretty sure it was prostate cancer; ultimately that was the cause,” he tells the outlet.
“He thought he had made it,” he adds. “I thought that was done, but you know how cancers go. They’re coming back with a vengeance.”
Simpson, born Orenthal James Simpson, was unmarried at the time of his death. He married his first wife, Marguerite Whitley, in 1968 when he was 19 years old. Together the former couple had three children – daughter Arnelle, 55, son Jason, 53, and a daughter, Aaren, who died the same year just a year old after tragically drowning in the family swimming pool.
Simpson met his second wife, Nicole Brown, in 1977 while he was still married to Whitley. Simpson and Whitley divorced in 1979 and he continued to date Brown until they tied the knot in 1985. They had two children together – daughter Sydney, 38, and son Justin, 35. Brown filed for divorce from Simpson in 1992.
The former athlete first announced in May 2023 that he was battling cancer. He never named the form of the cancer, but hinted that he had beaten the disease.
In February, Simpson denied that he was in hospice in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“I’m not in any hospice, I don’t know who put that out there,” Simpson said, not acknowledging the cancer rumors. “I guess it’s like Donald saying, ‘You can’t trust the media!'”
“In any case, I’m inviting a lot of friends here in Las Vegas to the Super Bowl. Everything is fine!” He finished his message. “Take care and have a great Super Bowl weekend!”
Simpson’s will was updated and signed by the late athlete on Jan. 25 and filed by Cassady Law Offices. Court documents obtained by ET indicate that LaVergne has been named “personal representative” and executor of his will, and his son Justin has been named his successor.
In his will, Simpson requested that his property be transferred to the Orenthal Simpson Revocable Living Trust and also signed that his final wishes for his remains would be included in the will itself.
Simpson died owing a significant amount of money to the families of his ex-wife Brown and himself her boyfriend, Ron Goldmanafter he was accused of her murder in 1994. Although Simpson was found not guilty of the two murders and acquitted of all criminal chargesHe was unanimously found liable for the wrongful death and battery against Goldman and battery against Brown.
In 1997, a civil jury ordered Simpson to pay $33.5 million, which, along with interest, increased to over $100 million over the past 27 years.
As for his debts, the will states that Simpson’s personal representative should pay “the costs of ancillary administration, the costs of my final illness and my funeral, and, at the discretion of my personal representative, the costs of a suitable memorial at my grave.”
Goldman family lawyer David Cook said People that Simpson only paid $133,000 of that judgment. “He died unrepentant. He wouldn’t give Fred a dime, a nickel.” [Goldman, Ron’s father]never, nothing, never,” Cook said of Simpson, adding that the judgment with accrued interest is now over $114 million. “He [still] owes the current status of the judgment.”
Speak with NBC NewsLaVergne said he would invite a legal representative of the Goldmans to review his findings as he calculates the value of Simpson’s estate. “We can resolve this matter calmly and dispassionately,” LaVergne added.
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