Aaren Simpson’s story is short and deeply sad. She was the youngest child of O.J. Simpson and his first wife, Marguerite Whitley. In August 1979, just before her second birthday, Aaren fell into a swimming pool, was revived by paramedics, and taken to UCLA Medical Center. After days in a coma, she died. Because she was a private child and her family guarded their grief, there is not much public information about her life. This article gathers what has been reported and presents it in clear, respectful language.
Personl Information
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Aaren Simpson |
| Parents | O.J. Simpson and Marguerite Whitley |
| Siblings | Arnelle Simpson, Jason Simpson |
| Born | September 1977, Los Angeles |
| Died | August 26, 1979, Los Angeles |
| Age at death | 23 months |
| Known for | Being O.J. Simpson’s youngest daughter; her death was a family tragedy |
| Reported resting place | Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California |
Early Life and Family
Aaren was born in September 1977 in Los Angeles, the third child of O.J. Simpson and Marguerite Whitley. She had two older siblings, Arnelle and Jason. At the time, O.J. was already a famous athlete and actor. Still, the family kept their children’s daily lives private. Public sources from the period simply note Aaren’s birth and that she was the couple’s youngest child.
Her parents’ marriage ended in 1979. Contemporary reporting explains that the couple separated and that O.J. began a new relationship later that decade. These adult matters were widely covered in the media because of O.J.’s fame, but Aaren herself stayed outside the spotlight, as any infant would.
The Accident
In mid-August 1979, when Aaren was 23 months old, a terrible accident happened at the Brentwood home where her mother, Marguerite, was living. Aaren was found in the swimming pool. Paramedics arrived quickly, revived her, and rushed her to UCLA Medical Center. Reports stated she was in a coma, and hospital officials shared very limited updates at the family’s request.
The news was widely noted because O.J. Simpson, then with the San Francisco 49ers for the preseason, left the team immediately and flew to Los Angeles to be with his daughter. The first concern in all reporting was Aaren’s condition, and the family’s wish for privacy was respected by the hospital.
Hospitalization and Passing
What happened next was heartbreaking: Aaren remained on life support for several days. She died on August 26, 1979, just before her second birthday. Many recaps of the event align on this date and the timeline of “about eight days” after the accident.
Obituaries and long-form coverage about O.J. Simpson’s life also mention Aaren’s death, noting her age—23 months—and that the drowning happened in August 1979. These summaries emphasize how rarely her father spoke publicly about the loss.
Aftermath and Privacy
Decades later, major newspapers still treat Aaren’s death with care. Reports from 1994 and recent obituaries agree on a few careful points: she was found at her mother’s home, she was taken to UCLA Medical Center, and she died later that month. They also point out that O.J. almost never discussed the tragedy in public. In other words, while the event appears in timelines of his life, details about the family’s private grief remain private.
Some roundups also note that she was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City. Because this detail is usually sourced to brief summaries rather than original funeral notices, it should be read as a widely reported but lightly documented point.
Why Aaren’s Story Still Matters
Aaren’s story is not only part of one family’s history it is also a reminder about water safety for very young children. Health agencies stress that drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 14 in the United States, that it can happen in seconds, and that it is often silent. Simple, consistent steps close, constant adult supervision; four-sided pool fencing with self-closing, self-latching gates; and teaching children basic water skills save lives.
Final Thoughts
Aaren Simpson lived less than two years, and her family’s grief deserves respect. The clearest reports focus on a few facts: a pool accident in August 1979, urgent medical care, and her death days later at UCLA. Beyond that, there is not much to say—because a child’s life should be private. Remembering Aaren with kindness, and taking water safety seriously, honors her memory in the best possible way.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Who were Aaren Simpson’s parents?
Aaren’s parents were O.J. Simpson and Marguerite Whitley. She was their youngest child.
2) When was Aaren born?
She was born in September 1977.
3) How old was Aaren when she died?
She was 23 months old, just weeks away from turning two.
4) What happened to Aaren?
She suffered an accidental near-drowning in a swimming pool. Paramedics revived her, and she was taken to UCLA Medical Center, where she remained in a coma.
5) When did she pass away?
She died on August 26, 1979, after several days on life support.
6) Where did the accident occur?
At the Brentwood home where her mother was living.
7) Did O.J. Simpson talk publicly about her death?
He rarely or never spoke about it in public.
8) Where is Aaren buried?
She is reported to be buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.
9) Why is Aaren’s story often mentioned in articles about O.J. Simpson?
Because it is a major personal tragedy that shaped the family’s life and appears in timelines of O.J. Simpson’s biography.
10) What can families learn from this tragedy?
Public-health guidance emphasizes constant adult supervision, four-sided pool fencing, and early water-safety lessons for children. These steps lower risk and save lives.
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