The death of O.J. Simpson drew immediate reaction around the country Thursday, renewing public interest in his era-defining 1995 murder trial — and reviving painful memories for the families who were close to the events.
Simpson was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, capping off what legal analysts described at the time as the “trial of the century.”
Goldman’s father, Fred Goldman, told NBC News that the news of Simpson’s death only further underscored his grief for his son, who was found stabbed to death outside Brown Simpson’s home in Los Angeles on June 12, 1994.
“The only thing I have to say is it’s just further reminder of Ron being gone all these years,” Fred Goldman said in a phone interview. “It’s no great loss to the world. It’s a further reminder of Ron’s being gone.”
In a subsequent statement sent to reporters, Fred Goldman and his daughter Kim said they were experiencing a “mixed bag of complicated emotions
“We will continue to advocate for the rights of all victims and survivors, ensuring our voices are heard both within and beyond the courtroom,” the Goldmans said in part. “Thank you for keeping our family, and most importantly Ron, in your hearts for the last 30 years.”
