OJ Simpson’s remains have been cremated in Las Vegas, according to his lawyer who exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com that the former football star died “happy” and would not want anyone to feel sorry for him.
The Juice, 76, died “surrounded by family” last Wednesday after a long battle with prostate cancer and was cremated at 10 a.m. today in accordance with his final wishes according to Malcolm LaVergne.
LaVergne, who is the executor of the former 49er’s estate, said the ceremony was private and a larger memorial service for friends and family was planned but would not take place for some time.
According to the Las Vegas lawyer, he also told his children where he wanted his ashes scattered, but claims the location is known only to them and all four agreed to comply with his instructions. wishes.
LaVergne said, “OJ wouldn’t want anyone to feel sad for him. He’d tell you straight, man, he’s had a great life, a happy life, sure, he’s had his trials and tribulations, but his last seven years have been fantastic, so he wouldn’t want anyone to feel sorry for him. him.
OJ Simpson sits during his arraignment in Los Angeles Superior Court on July 22, 1994.
“He would have liked to have a few more years to see his grandchildren grow a little older. But he was basically happy in the end.
As DailyMail.com previously revealed, Simpson spent his final year living in a luxury Las Vegas golf resort that he chose so he could be close to his youngest son Justin, who was also named executor of his estate. .
Justin, now 35, is a real estate agent married to his blonde wife Alycia Browne with whom he has two children – the first, Lana Nicole, named after his murdered mother, Nicole Brown.
A source close to the family told DailyMail.com that Simpson’s decline had been rapid: although in good health a year ago, he had declined precipitously in recent weeks and had openly discussed his cancer with friends.
The insider said: “I last saw him two weeks ago and he was gray. He looked really bad. He couldn’t walk through the restaurant without help and you could tell he was really sick.
They added: “It’s been like night and day since this time last year. He looked fine at the time and you would never know there was anything wrong with him.
Simpson had lived in Las Vegas since October 2017, when he was released from Lovelock Correctional Center after serving a nine-year sentence for armed robbery.
His first home out of prison was a $1.4 million mansion owned by a friend on a golf course owned by the Red Rock Country Club.
He then moved to another property at Canyon Gate Country Club before moving to Rhodes Ranch Golf Club in Summerlin last spring.
The family friend added: “He wanted to be close to Justin – he just had a baby. She’s about a year old now.
“Justin is a really nice guy. They didn’t live together but they had houses close to each other.
Simpson’s eldest daughter, Arnelle, 55, also owns a $795,000 home in the same sprawling golf resort.
His latest video, released shortly before Super Bowl LVIII on February 11, was filmed in Arnelle’s backyard, with the golf course clearly visible behind him.
In it, he attempted to reassure fans about his health, following reports he was in palliative care – saying “my health is good”.
He added: “Obviously I’m facing some issues, but I think I’m almost done and hopefully I’ll be back on that golf course in a few weeks.”
Simpson also incorrectly predicted a Super Bowl victory for his hometown team, telling viewers, “I see 24-20 WIN!” by the 49ers. It’s not hope, I’m basing it on the quality of the footballers.
In reality, Simpson was quickly disappearing when LaVergne told DailyMail.com that he finalized his will in January.
Simpson’s other children live on the east coast with chef Jason, 53, living in Georgia while his eldest with second wife Nicole, Sydney, now 38, is based in St Petersberg, Florida.
OJ Simpson sits during a break on the second day of an evidentiary hearing in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas
When DailyMail.com contacted her over the weekend, a man at her home told her she was traveling but claimed she had not been to Las Vegas, despite her father’s death.
Before his cancer diagnosis, Simpson had become a familiar sight in the upscale suburb of Summerlin where he made his home – showing up regularly at local bars and on the golf course, though never far from controversy.
In 2021, he settled a defamation lawsuit with the Cosmopolitan Hotel after suing the luxury property after staff told a celebrity gossip site that he was banned from the property in November 2017 for being “drunk and disruptive.”
He has also been returned to court several times over damages awarded at the end of his 1997 civil trial for the murders of Nicole, 35, and her friend Ron Goldman, 25.
The Juice was ordered to pay a total of $33,500,000: $8.5 million in compensatory damages to the Goldman family and $25 million in punitive damages.
He never paid and died owing more than $100 million to the Goldman and Brown families.
Both families are now expected to file lawsuits against his estate, with LaVergne telling DailyMail.com the claims would likely be upheld, opening a new legal battle.
He said: “I have to look at all these people making claims and see what’s there. I expect a lot more claims than Fred Goldman, and I have to convince them to come to an agreement.
LaVergne also walked back previous comments about the need to ensure the Goldman family receives nothing from the estate, telling DailyMail.com: “Fred Goldman’s debt collection lawyer who was the one who spoke after Simpson’s death and made disparaging remarks about him.
“Fred Goldman has not, to my knowledge, made any disparaging remark about Simpson other than, ‘Hey, I want to think about my son.’
“It’s obviously bittersweet for this man, but that (previous remark) was actually a response to his lawyer escalating his comments.
“So I’ve increased the rhetoric, but I’m backtracking and backtracking, and we just have to try to handle this matter in a calm manner.”
Simpson’s death was announced Thursday by his family via his X account – formerly Twitter – where they wrote that he had “succumbed to his battle with cancer” while surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
Simpson spent most of his life in the spotlight, first as an NFL running back and then as a defendant in one of the most famous trials of all time.
The case became infamous for its ultra-slow Bronco car chase before Simpson’s arrest and months-long trial.
His defense attorneys included Robert Kardashian – the father of Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian.
Nicole was close friends with their mother Kris, while Simpson also had a decades-long friendship with their future stepfather, Caitlyn Jenner.
That friendship ended with Nicole and Ron’s murders, and upon hearing the news on Thursday, Jenner responded with a chilling tweet that read, “Good riddance.”
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