O.J. Simpson’s brain will not be donated for research despite requests from scientists, as his body is expected to be cremated in Las Vegas. The decision to not investigate his brain for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a common condition among retired football players with a history of concussions, was made by his estate’s representative, Malcolm LaVergne. While CTE can cause violent behavior, the family has decided to uphold Simpson’s wishes of having his entire body cremated.
Simpson passed away at the age of 76 after battling prostate cancer. Despite the need for approval from his four children, the process of cremating his body has been set in motion with the necessary paperwork signed off by a doctor and LaVergne. The cremation is scheduled to take place on Tuesday in accordance with Simpson’s wishes, and any further decisions about what to do with his ashes will be made by his children.
There are no specific funeral plans in place at this time, although a celebration of life service is a possibility for close friends and family. The Diocese of Orange in southern California, where Nicole Brown Simpson is buried, has not been contacted regarding funeral or burial services for Simpson. It has been confirmed that he will not be buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery with his parents due to not being a military veteran and the cemetery being full.
In regards to the financial aspect of Simpson’s estate, LaVergne has expressed his desire to ensure that the family of Ron Goldman, whom Simpson was found liable for the deaths of in a civil case following the 1994 murders, receives nothing. Despite being acquitted of the murders in a criminal trial, the civil case led to a $33.5 million judgment against Simpson, of which he plans to prevent the Goldmans from obtaining any portion. LaVergne is committed to upholding Simpson’s wishes and protecting his estate from any claims by the Goldman family.
Overall, the decision to cremate O.J. Simpson’s body while refusing to investigate his brain for CTE highlights the family’s efforts to honor Simpson’s wishes while also protecting his estate from potential financial claims. The lack of plans for a funeral service at this time could potentially lead to a celebration of life gathering in the future. The focus on preventing the Goldmans from receiving any part of Simpson’s estate continues to be a priority for LaVergne as the executor, regardless of the outcome of previous legal judgments involving Simpson and the Goldman family.
