Details Emerge From O.J. Simpson's Final Days Before Death

18/04/2024 04:59

O.J. Simpson, the Hall of Fame running back who became one of the most controversial figures in American history, died from prostate cancer last week.

Simpson died after being visited by his loved ones, but very little was known about the final days leading up to his death.

Simpson's lawyer, who is now in charge of his estate, says that things were relatively normal until about a week before he died.

"He was awake, alert and chilling," said Malcolm LaVergne. 

"He's on the couch ... drinking a beer and watching TV. And so that was the last time we had effective back-and-forth conversations. He's usually the one who keeps me up on the news ... so we were just catching up on the news then."

LaVergne said that things began to take a turn for the worst on April 5, and described Simpson as "transitioning" according to a doctor.

The attorney said that the last time he visited Simpson, he only had enough strength to ask for water and to watch golf on television.

"Of course he chose golf," LaVergne said. "He was an absolute golf fanatic."

Simpson died on April 10, and he was cremated on Wednesday, according to LaVergne.

Family members visited Simpson in his final days, including his children and grandchildren.

"At first they shared good O.J. But still he was famous," LaVergne said about Simpson's relationship with his children.

"And then, in 1994 on, they kind of had to share bad boy O.J. with the world. But at the end of the day, these children just lost a father. 

And they have the added burden that he is one of the most famous people on the planet, and who is polarizing and who is surrounded by controversy."

Simpson's perception in the public eye changed forever in 1994, when he was put on trial and later acquitted of the murders of his wife Nicole Brown and their family friend Ron Goldman.

Simpson would spend nearly a decade in jail later in life after an armed robbery and kidnapping, and he made appearances on social media before his death, often commenting on sports.