Ex-NFL Star OJ Simpson Tragically Lost His 1-Year-Old Daughter Aaren after Heartbreaking Tragedy in 1979

For many reasons, OJ Simpson’s name will forever be associated with crime and violence, but before the dark years of his life, the former sports star suffered some personal loss that would go on to change his life.

OJ Simpson’s career as an NFL star was covered with glory and trophies but the years after were not as he would have hoped for as he went from star boy to the most wanted criminal.

Simpson’s name will always be associated with the death of his wife Nicole Brown, which was one of the most publicized scandals in American history, but before becoming associated with crime, the former running back suffered a heartbreaking loss that would define his life.

In 1979, the NFL legend lost his infant daughter Aaren who was one year and eleven months old. He shared the toddler with his first wife, Marguerite Whitley, with whom he had three kids.

While Simpson and Brown's relationship was the most popular, he shared a long-term relationship with Whitley, who he met in high school.

The former couple got married in 1967 when Simpson was in college at USC. Their marriage lasted for eleven years, but the sorrow of losing their child was an unbearable loss for them.

WHAT HAPPENED?

In the summer of 1979, the family found little Aaren motionless in the pool. When paramedics arrived and attended to her, she had already fallen into a coma leading to her death a few days to her second birthday.

While he ended up walking a free man from the case, he still ended up behind bars after other altercations with the law.

Although the couple was divorced at the time of Aaren's death, they joined forces to bury her. After the touching event, Simpson went on to have two children with his second wife Brown before her death in 1994, but he remained crushed over the toddler he lost a few years earlier.

AFTERMATH OF BROWN'S DEATH

Following Brown’s death, Simpson was pictured as the primary suspect. This led to all sorts of questions, including if he had been abusive with his first wife, a notion Whitley strongly denied.

Sources noted that the police were once invited to the house Whitley and Simpson once shared, following domestic violence calls; an allegation Whitley later claimed was false and made up.

In an interview, Whitley explained that the 74-year-old ex-convict would never have dared to be abusive towards her as she would not have allowed that to happen to her.

Whitley was willing to testify on behalf of her former husband to help declare his innocence, and while he ended up walking a free man from the case, he still ended up behind bars after other altercations with the law.

Years behind bars and in shame smeared the once glorious name Simpson held as a sports icon, but on his return, the father of five declared that life is fine after prison.

The one time hero remarked that he lives okay and stays in touch with his family. However, some have branded his freedom a slap to justice, as some believe he should have remained behind bars.