OJ Simpson to be cremated, brain won’t be donated for CTE research, lawyer says
O.J. Simpson’s brain will be incinerated, not investigated, The Post has learned.
The body of the accused killer and former NFL great is expected to be cremated Tuesday in Las Vegas — with no plans to donate his brain for research despite multiple requests from scientists, a rep for his estate told The Post.
His longtime attorney and executor Malcolm LaVergne said he’s signed off on all the paperwork for Simpson’s cremation, but the family gave a “hard no” to scientists asking to study Simpson’s brain to see if the ex-running back suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease afflicting many retired football players who suffered multiple concussions during their careers.
Violent behavior is one common symptom of CTE.
“With OJ everything’s wild, but I’ve been getting calls from medical centers that are doing CTE testing asking me for OJ’s brain . . . that is not happening,” LaVergne said.
“I may consult with the children on it, but I haven’t heard anything about it, so it’s just not going to happen. OJ wants all of his body cremated for his children to do what they see fit.”
Simpson died Thursday after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 76.
Simpson’s four children still have to sign off on the cremation paperwork, said LaVergne, who noted he wants “consensus.”
A doctor also has signed off on the death certificate and paperwork for Simpson’s cremation, and additional paperwork is scheduled to be finalized on Monday, said the attorney.
“Tuesday is the predicted . . . day that he will actually be cremated.” LaVergne said. “That’s what OJ wanted. Those are OJ’s wishes, and that’s what the kids are telling me.”
He declined to discuss any of the Simpson children’s plans for what they will do with his ashes.
A staffer who answered the phone at the upscale Palm Mortuary in Las Vegas said Simpson’s body was at the Palm Southwest Crematorium.
“Right now there’s no specific plans for a funeral service,” LaVergne said. “There is however a possibility that there will be a celebration of life-type service at a later date and time which will be limited to Mr. Simpson’s close circle of friends and family.”
The Diocese of Orange in southern California, which manages Ascension Cemetery where Nicole Brown Simpson is buried, has “not been contacted by the Simpson family regarding any funeral or burial services at any of our Catholic cemeteries,” spokesman Bradley Zint said.
A spokesperson at Golden Gate National Cemetery, where Simpson’s parents Jimmy and Eunice Simpson are buried, said the ex-NFL legend would not be buried with his parents because he was not a military veteran and the cemetery is full.
Stay updated with the latest coverage of OJ Simpson’s death
- OJ Simpson allegedly hired Gambino goons to kill ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson: source
- All of OJ Simpson’s kids visited him in final days before death, signed NDAs: report
- OJ Simpson lawyer reverses decision on suit payout to families of Nicole Brown, Ron Goldman: report
- OJ Simpson to be cremated, brain won’t be donated for CTE research, lawyer says
LaVergne has said he wants to make sure the family of Ron Goldman doesn’t get a penny from Simpson’s estate.
Goldman was a waiter and friend of Simpson’s ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson. Both were murdered at her home in Los Angeles on June 12, 1994.
Simpson was acquitted of the murders during his sensational 1995 trial but was found liable for their deaths in a 1997 civil case, which resulted in him owing the Brown and Goldman families a $33.5 million judgment.
“It’s my hope that the Goldmans get zero, nothing,” LaVergne said. “Them specifically. And I will do everything in my capacity as the executor or personal representative to try and ensure that they get nothing.”
