WARNING: This article contains references to murder and domestic violence.
Netflix’s new crime documentary, American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson, offers new insight into one of the most infamous criminal cases in history and what happened to those connected. American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson explores the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman that took place on June 12, 1994. Through archival footage and interviews with witnesses and family members, the new Netflix television series documents the murders, Simpson’s infamous car chase with the police, the media and public’s responses to the crimes and Simpson’s high-profile criminal trial that was dubbed by the media as “the trial of the century.”
American Manhunt offered some shocking revelations regarding the police’s initial handling of the crime scene, the evidence that was brought forward during the trial and the subsequent civil suit after the trial concluded. Throughout the docuseries, viewers are also given new insight into the tumultuous relationship between O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson which lasted until Nicole’s tragic death. During his life, O.J. Simpson was married twice and had five children born between 1968 and 1988. The children played a significant part in O.J. Simpson’s trial, which lasted 11 months, but today, they live private lives away from the media.
Where OJ Simpson & Nicole Brown’s Daughter Sydney Brooke Simpson Is Today
Sydney Brooke Simpson Was Eight When Her Mother Was Murdered
In American Manhunt, through archival footage, Nicole Brown Simpson’s family reveals how Nicole was “totally in love” with Simpson during the early stages of their relationship, with Simpson’s former agent, Mike Gilbert, describing their relationship as “intense.” During their marriage, O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown had two children; their daughter Sydney Brooke was born in 1985. In the docuseries, it’s revealed that Sydney took part in a dance recital that both of her parents attended on the evening of the murders; Simpson’s former houseguest, Kato Kaelin, stated that O.J. “seemed upset” and “staring into space” after not being invited to a family dinner afterward.
After O.J. Simpson’s acquittal for the murders, Sydney and her brother, Justin, moved to Florida with their father, and for the next few years, maintained a low profile away from the public eye. In an interview that took place 10 years after the murders, O.J. Simpson spoke about his daughter, stating that she was “terrific,” and her success at high school, calling her “bright as all get-out.” Simpson also remarked that he worked to provide a life for his children that was “as normal as I’ve ever known a kid to have” following their mother’s death (via NBC News).
Sydney Simpson has not spoken publicly about the murders and has not taken part in any documentaries about her parents.
After graduating from high school, Sydney Simpson studied sociology at Boston University, before moving to Atlanta, Georgia, where she worked as an event coordinator (via Vanguard). She later moved to Saint Petersburg, Florida and began a career in real estate (via Business Insider). Since her father’s acquittal, Sydney Simpson has not spoken publicly about the murders and has not taken part in any documentaries about her parents. However, she maintains a close relationship with her maternal aunts; Nicole’s sister, Dominique Brown, stated that she is “very close to Sydney” and that her niece has since had children of her own (via Yahoo Entertainment).
Where OJ Simpson & Nicole Brown’s Son Justin Ryan Simpson Is Today
Justin Ryan Simpson Was Five When His Mother Died
O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown’s second child, Justin Ryan Simpson, was born in 1988. Video footage used in American Manhunt shows O.J. Simpson meeting his newborn son in hospital. After their divorce in 1992, Brown and Simpson continued to have a relationship that Kato Kaelin called “an elevator,” and involved a custody fight over the children. During the initial investigation of the crime scene, Justin and Sydney were found asleep in their bedrooms. In the docuseries, homicide detective Tom Lange revealed that the children “had been removed through the garage by the police” to avoid them seeing the crime scene.
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During the trial, Justin and Sydney were placed in the temporary guardianship of their maternal grandparents, Juditha and Louis Brown. After his acquittal, O.J. Simpson entered a custody battle with the Browns, which he eventually won in 1996 (via Los Angeles Times). The family later moved to Florida, with Justin Simpson attending Gulliver Preparatory School in Pinecrest (via MSN). O.J. Simpson later described his son as “the finest kid I’ve ever known” and “well-liked” by everybody. He also stated that Justin rarely spoke about his mother’s death, saying that he was “pretty reluctant to get into it” (via Today).
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Justin Simpson studied at Florida State University between 2006 and 2010, graduating with a degree in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, Simpson revealed that he chose to move to Saint Petersburg with his sister, calling it “a great place to live.” Alongside his older sister, Justin Simpson also works in real estate and is a qualified real estate agent, establishing Boulder Property Management in 2018 (via The Celebrity Planet). In 2022, he announced he was expecting his first child, a girl, with his long-term partner (via Irish Star).
What Happened To OJ Simpson’s 3 Kids With His First Wife, Marguerite Whitley
OJ Simpson and Marguerite Whitley Were Married For 12 Years
Before his marriage to Nicole Brown, O.J. Simpson was married to Marguerite Whitley from 1967 to 1979; he reportedly started dating Nicole in 1977 while still married to his first wife. While there were allegations, Whitley maintained there was never any abuse during their marriage (via Vogue). Simpson and Whitley had three children together: two daughters, Arnelle in 1968 Aaren in 1977, and a son, Jason, in 1970. Their youngest daughter, Aaren, tragically drowned in the family’s swimming pool in 1979, one month before her second birthday. Simpson rarely mentioned his daughter’s death in public, only calling it “a tremendous loss” (via Hello Magazine).
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Simpson’s eldest daughter, Arnelle, testified in her father’s defense during his trial in 1995, stating that her father was “emotional” and “out of control” upon learning of Nicole’s death (via People). In American Manhunt, it’s revealed that Arnelle’s bungalow in Los Angeles was examined by the police during the initial stage of the investigation and was described by Detective Tom Lange as “immaculate, no problems.” Arnelle Simpson has since appeared in several documentaries about her father and stated in 2014 that she has worked for a rapper and in fashion production (via US Magazine).
Jason, Simpson’s eldest son, appeared with his father during several important moments of his football career, including his induction into the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame in 1980 (via Houston Public Media). During American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson, video footage of the end of Simpson’s Ford Bronco chase in Brentwood shows Jason at the car calling out to his father before being dragged away by police officers, with LAPD team leader, Peter Weireter, explaining that they “extracted him. Pulled him into the house.” According to Entertainment Online, as of 2016, Jason Simpson works as a culinary chef in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sources: NBC News, Vanguard, Business Insider, Yahoo Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, MSN, Today, Tampa Bay Times, The Celebrity Planet, Irish Star, Hello Magazine, Vogue, People, US Magazine, Houston Public Media, Entertainment Online
Sydney, who was just 9 years old at the time of the trial, went on to attend Boston University and later pursued a career in event planning. She has largely stayed out of the public eye and has focused on living a private life.
Justin, who was 6 years old during the trial, attended Florida State University where he played football. He later went on to pursue a career in real estate and currently works as a real estate agent in Florida.
Both Sydney and Justin have expressed their desire to distance themselves from their father’s tumultuous past and have worked hard to build their own lives outside of the shadow of his notoriety. While they may not be as well-known as their father, they have found success in their own right and are living their lives on their own terms.
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