Inside O J Simpson s Final Days According to His Attorney
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O.J. Simpson's attorney, Malcolm LaVergne, shared that in his final days, Simpson had the opportunity to bid farewell to his loved ones before passing away at home as he had arranged. One of his last desires was to have additional time to be with them, but unfortunately, it did not come to fruition.
"He just wanted a couple more years," LaVergne exclusively shared with We on Tuesday, April 16. He hoped to see his oldest grandchild go to school, which would have been the cherry on top for him. Unfortunately, he never got the chance, but he had everything else.
At the end, what brought O.J. the most joy was being a grandfather. He cherished the time he spent playing with and being with his grandkids.
But at 76, the years he had hoped for were sadly shortened.
"He's not going to be with us much longer," LaVergne recalled the doctor saying on April 5 as Simpson's life neared its end. "People came from everywhere to be by his side - friends, family, all of them."
The lawyer, who is also the executor of Simpson's estate, recalled how people from Florida, Colorado, and Canada came to "pay their final respects" before Simpson passed away on April 10 at the age of 76.
Before his death, Simpson was fighting prostate cancer. However, LaVergne mentioned to Us that he was only "quite ill" towards the end of his life. LaVergne shared that Simpson believed he had overcome the illness, but unfortunately, it returned and ultimately led to the former NFL star's passing.
Simpson's age was a factor in his struggles to recover from other illnesses. According to his attorney, being an older man meant that cancer treatments took a toll on his health in other ways. This led to complications such as pneumonia, which prevented him from participating in experimental treatments.
As Simpson's health deteriorated, he made a decision to leave the hospital. His attorney shared that Simpson expressed a desire to not spend his final days in a medical facility. Instead, he opted for a hospice plan and returned home for his remaining time.
Before his unexpected decline in early April, LaVergne mentioned that Simpson was in good spirits. The attorney remembered their last meaningful conversation, which occurred before Simpson's trip to England for Easter weekend in late March.
LaVergne mentioned that Simpson seemed relaxed while sitting on his couch, enjoying his beer and food. He didn't give off the impression that he was in any immediate danger of passing away.
During their conversation in March, LaVergne recalled how Simpson was simply lounging on his couch, watching TV. They talked about a variety of subjects during their time together.
After LaVergne returned to the U.S. following the Easter holiday, Simpson's health had worsened. He personally visited Simpson on that Friday and noticed that he could hardly speak, only managing to ask for water. Despite being able to choose between watching women's tennis or golf, Simpson spent most of his time in bed, resting comfortably.
On Thursday, April 11, Simpson's family confirmed his passing after a long battle with cancer. This news reignited discussions about Simpson's controversial past, particularly the 1994 murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.
Simpson was accused of fatally stabbing Brown Simpson, who was 35 at the time, and Goldman, who was 25. Despite being arrested for the murders, Simpson was acquitted of the charges in 1995 after a highly publicized trial.
In a civil suit, the former football star was later found guilty of wrongful death and battery against Goldman.
Simpson was arrested in 2007 for kidnapping and armed robbery, and was ultimately convicted. He was given a sentence of nine to 33 years in prison. After serving the minimum sentence, Simpson was granted parole in December 2021.
He is survived by his children Arnelle, Jason, and Aaren, from his first marriage to Marguerite Whitley. Simpson also had two children, Sydney and Justin, with his late ex-wife Brown Simpson.
The family has always valued their privacy. LaVergne shared with Us on Tuesday that the kids have always been private as well. Simpson will be cremated, and his family is currently making plans for a memorial service. LaVergne mentioned that their emotions and feelings are similar to anyone else who has lost a loved one to a long-term illness.
He also added that the family is currently grieving the loss of their father. In addition to this, they are also dealing with the weight of his fame.
“And I think it’s a time for them that at some point they just want to have O.J., their father, to themselves.”
With reporting by Andrea Simpson