Nicole Brown Simpson’s sisters, Dominique, Tanya, and Denise Brown, have spoken publicly for the first time about the death of her ex-husband, O.J. Simpson.
The former Pro Football Hall of Famer, famously acquitted of Brown’s murder in 1995, passed away from prostate cancer on April 10.
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Nicole’s amily on O.J.’s death: It’s like the end of a chapter
“It’s very complicated,”Dominique told PEOPLE on Wednesday, May 22.
Reflecting on the complex relationship their family had with Simpson, Tanya added, “This is a person who’s been in our life for a very long time, who wreaked havoc on our family. It’s like the end of a chapter.”
O.J. Simpson’s life and career were marred by his infamous 1994-95 murder trial and his 2008 conviction for armed robbery and kidnapping.
Despite his acquittal for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, Simpson was later found liable in a civil trial and ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages, a sum largely unpaid at his death.
Simpson’s death from prostate cancer was confirmed by his longtime attorney, Malcolm LaVergne, who revealed the cause of death on April 26.
LaVergne, also the executor of Simpson’s estate, confirmed the cancer diagnosis and the details surrounding his final days.
Simpson’s family announced his passing via a statement on his X account on April 11: “On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace. -The Simpson Family.”
Nicole had a tumultuous relationship with O.J. Simpson
Reflecting on the past, Nicole Brown’s sisters recounted their initial introduction to Simpson in 1977.
Dominique remembered him as “just her boyfriend to us,” but noted that their relationship was tumultuous.
Denise shared painful memories of Nicole crying in the bathroom after being berated by Simpson, who often misinterpreted her interactions with male friends as slights against him.
Nicole’s pregnancy with Simpson’s first child, Sydney, had initially sparked hope for a calmer future.
Dominique recounted, “The news had opened her heart more,” with her sister believing “everything would be different.”
However, the verbal abuse persisted, and even during her pregnancy, Simpson’s cruelty continued.
“She was pregnant, and he was calling her a fat pig,”Denise recalled, though she initially thought these were isolated incidents.
The brutal murders of Nicole Brown Simpson, 35, and Ron Goldman, 25, on June 12, 1994, led to a sensational trial watched by millions.
Despite his acquittal in criminal court, Simpson’s guilt was never in doubt for many, including Tanya, who said, “DNA doesn’t lie.”
Denise vividly remembered the horror of learning about her sister’s death, recalling the moment as “gut-wrenching.”
While Dominique chose not to comment on Simpson’s guilt out of respect for her niece and nephew, the family did find solace in Nicole’s life post-divorce.
Dominique noted, “What no one knows she experienced before her death is freedom. There was this levity about her. She was glowing.”
Tanya added, “I’m so glad that she had a good time the last two years of her life. I can’t bring her back, so why not try to look at it like that?”