Where Were O.J. Simpson's Kids When Nicole Brown Was Murdered? All Too Close By

The murder of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman and the trial against Brown's ex-husband O.J. Simpson have intrigued the public for years. Ahead of the release of American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson, whose first episode airs Tuesday night on FX, interest in the 21-year-old case has exploded once again. The renewed focus has extended to two of the youngest people directly affected by the ordeal — namely, Nicole Brown and O.J. Simpson's two children, Sydney and Justin, and their lives at the time of the murder and subsequent trial. Where were O.J. Simpson's kids when Nicole Brown was murdered in 1994?

Sydney and Justin Simpson were asleep in an upstairs bedroom of their mother's Brentwood condo when she was killed downstairs, according to The New York Daily News. The kids were 8 and 5 years old, respectively, at the time. O.J. Simpson reportedly bought the condo for his ex-wife and children when the couple divorced in 1993, according to the book Blood Evidence: How DNA Is Revolutionizing the Way We Solve Crimes.

O.J. Simpson also had three children with his previous wife, Marguerite: Jason, Arnelle, and Aaren. Jason Simpson was recently the topic of a book by private investigator William C. Dear, who claimed O.J.'s oldest son, who was 24 at the time of Nicole Brown's murder, was behind Brown and Goldman's deaths. Dear alleged that Jason Simpson struggled with mental illness and committed the murders in a rage killing.

However, Jason Simpson was working at a restaurant the night of the murders, which is where official alibis place him, according to The Telegraph. Romper could not immediately reach Jason Simpson for comment. However, O.J. Simpson, who was acquitted but later lost a wrongful death suit brought against him by the Brown and Goldman families, weighed in on the theory. He told The National Enquirer:

"The theory is just one of a thousand regarding the murders, and the LAPD has fully investigated this and felt it has no merit."

Daughter Arnelle Simpson, according to a 1994 New York Times article, was awoken by police in an out-building of O.J. Simpson's house the morning after the murders. She was 25 at the time and later testified in her father's murder trial. She couldn't place where her father was at the time of the murders, according to CNN, but testified that she saw no blood in the driveway.

After the murder of Nicole Brown, her children's custody was split between her family and the Simpsons. Tanya Brown, Justin and Sydney's aunt, told Radar, "We were in constant contact with him [O.J. Simpson] because of the kids. … We had a meeting point where we transported the kids and picked the kids up and dropped the kids off."

As to where they are now, their aunt says Nicole Brown's children have been successful. "They’re in their late 20s. They’re professional. They’ve gone to college," she said. "They’re in relationships. They’re happy. They’re just like us. Quote unquote."

After a horrible tragedy and far too much media attention, that's a peace they deserve.