For nearly three decades, the name Nicole Brown Simpson has been synonymous with one of the most infamous murder cases in American history. Now, with the passing of O.J. Simpson, her sisters—Denise Brown, Dominique Brown, and Tanya Brown—are speaking out about the complex emotions they’ve experienced since learning of his death.
Simpson, the former NFL star and actor, died at the age of 76 on April 10 after a battle with cancer. His family announced the news via social media, requesting privacy during their time of grief. While Simpson remained a free man, maintaining his innocence in the 1994 murders of Nicole and her friend Ronald Goldman, the Brown family has never forgotten the pain and loss that reshaped their lives forever.
A Mix of Relief and Sadness
Speaking with ABC News’ Diane Sawyer, Denise Brown admitted to feeling a sense of relief when she heard the news of Simpson’s death. “It was this sense of kind of relief, in a way,” she confessed.
Her sister Dominique echoed her sentiments but emphasized her concern for Simpson and Nicole’s children, Sydney and Justin. “It’s very complicated,” she explained. “But I have a relationship with the kids that means everything to me, and I was … very, very sad for them.”
With June 12 marking the 30th anniversary of the brutal murders, emotions remain raw for the Brown family.
A Legacy of Pain and Advocacy
The highly publicized trial that followed the murders—dubbed the “Trial of the Century”—captivated the world. While Simpson was acquitted of all criminal charges, he was later found liable in a civil suit brought by the victims’ families.
In the years since, the Brown sisters have dedicated themselves to raising awareness about domestic violence, advocating for victims, and strengthening laws like the Violence Against Women Act. Their advocacy has been fueled by a lingering sense of regret—Denise recalls a painful memory of how she once responded when Nicole confided in her about the abuse.
“I asked her all the ‘whys’ that you don’t ask. … ‘Why don’t you just get out of this relationship? Why don’t you just leave him?’” Denise said. “Those are things that you don’t say, and I didn’t realize that at the time.”
Dominique added, “I just wish that I had known more. I just wonder if I could have done more to help or to listen to her.”
The Pain That Never Fades
Despite the passage of time, the Brown family continues to grapple with their loss. “The pain doesn’t go away, it doesn’t subside, doesn’t get easier,” Denise shared. “But you do the best you can and you move on. And it’s one step forward.”
Their story, and Nicole’s tragic fate, will once again take center stage in an upcoming Lifetime documentary, The Life & Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson, set to air on June 1 and 2.
As the world reflects on one of the most shocking and enduring crime stories of all time, the Brown family remains steadfast in their mission: to honor Nicole’s memory, to educate, and to ensure that her story is never forgotten.
