Reflecting On The Lives Of Nicole Brown Simpson & Ronald Goldman

For an entire generation, the images of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman spark memories of the heinous murder that ended their lives and the media circus that ensued. The O.J. Simpson murder trial, which became known as the trial of the century, changed the world, shaping the way we view celebrity, power, media, corruption, and justice. While Simpson was officially acquitted of all charges, he was later found liable for both deaths in a civil lawsuit.

Simpson may have been acquitted in the eyes of the law, but in the eyes of the public, he remained shrouded in suspicion and scrutiny until his death on April 10 at the age of 76. His death was seemingly met with 'relief and happiness' by the public, based on social media reactions.

When O.J. Met Nicole Brown Smith

Not much is known about Nicole Brown Simpson’s life apart from her marriage to Simpson and her murder. She was born in Frankfurt, Germany, to a German mother and an American father. She was the second of four daughters, and had three older half-siblings from her father’s previous marriage. The family moved to the United States, settling in Orange County, CA.

Brown Simpson reportedly met Simpson as an 18-year-old waitress at a Hollywood nightclub. He was 30 and a famous, beloved athlete who dabbled in film and had major endorsements and oozed charm and charisma. At the time of their meeting, he was also married, with a child on the way.

Simpson and Brown Simpson were married in 1985. They had two children, daughter Sydney, born in 1985, and son Justin, born in 1988.

A Picture Perfect Marriage Unravels

Throughout their marriage, the two appeared to be living the high life. They lived in glitzy Brentwood, strolled red carpets, took lavish vacations and palled around with celebrities. One of her best friends was Kris Kardashian, later known as Kris Jenner. She was the wife of Simpson’s best friend, attorney Robert Kardashian. The two were so close that Kris, who later married Caitlyn Jenner, gave her daughter, Kendall Jenner, the middle name Nicole in her best friend’s honor.

But behind the scenes of their seemingly idyllic life, Brown Simpson was the victim of domestic violence at Simpson’s hand. She called police many times throughout their marriage, fearing for her life.

Simpson Evaded Jail Despite Charges Of Violence

Simpson was only arrested once, in 1989, after an incident bad enough to send Brown Simpson to the hospital. A Los Angeles Times article detailed the disturbing incident.

“‘The police have been out here eight times before, and now you’re going to arrest me for this?’ Simpson is quoted in one report as yelling to two police officers who were responding to a 911 call. ‘This is a family matter. Why do you want to make a big deal out of it when we can handle it?’”

The article further asserted that Brown Simpson was visibly hurt when police arrived at her home that day.

“The reports say that when police arrived at Simpson’s North Rockingham Avenue house Jan. 1, 1989, they saw Nicole Simpson running out of some bushes, bruised and scratched. ‘He’s going to kill me, he’s going to kill me,’ she cried while running toward the officers, one of them wrote. ‘She kept saying: ‘You never do anything about him. You talk to him and then leave.’”

Her words rang true, as Simpson never served time for the assault.

“Four months later, when Simpson pleaded no contest to spousal battery charges, Municipal Judge Ronald Schoenberg overruled prosecutors’ requests that he serve a month in jail because of the severity of the beating and undergo an intensive yearlong treatment program for men who batter their wives. Instead… Simpson received no jail time and was allowed to pick his own psychiatrist and receive counseling over the phone, which prosecutors said was unprecedented.”

Five years later, on June 12, 1994, Brown Simpson was found stabbed to death at her home, along with her friend, Goldman.

Ronald Goldman Was A Hero, According To Family

Even less is known about Goldman, who was unlucky enough to be at Brown Simpson’s home the night of the murder. He grew up near Chicago and relocated with his family to Southern California when he was 18 years old.

He was only 25 when he was murdered, a waiter and sometime model and actor who was reportedly at the home returning a pair of sunglasses that Brown Simpson’s mother had left at the restaurant where he worked earlier in the day. The Goldman family believes that Goldman stumbled onto the murder scene either as it was happening or right after.

“[My brother] walked in on what we believe was a horrific crime and he didn't run. [He] could've run and saved his own life and he stayed to help his friend. I want people to remember my brother was a hero,” said his sister, Kim Goldman, in an E! News story.

The Goldman family became advocates for justice for their son after his death. Facing media scrutiny and going up against the power of immense celebrity and wealth, his father, Fred, became a mainstay during the trial.

Justice For The Families

Two years after Simpson was found not guilty, Fred filed a civil suit against Simpson in which he was found liable for the deaths of both Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, granting some sense of justice for the families.