Ron Goldman

Who Was Ron Goldman?

Ron Goldman was born and raised in Illinois, where he spent the early years of his life before relocating to California in the late 1980s. After a brief period at Illinois State University, he found employment as a waiter at Mezzaluna, a restaurant located in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Tragically, at the age of 25, Goldman was murdered alongside his friend, Nicole Brown Simpson, outside her home on the night of June 12, 1994. The case garnered significant media attention when O.J. Simpson, a former professional football player and Nicole’s ex-husband, was charged with the murders. Despite the evidence presented, he was acquitted in a highly publicized trial. Subsequently, Goldman’s family pursued a civil lawsuit against Simpson, ultimately winning a judgment for Ron’s wrongful death.

Early Life

Ronald Lyle Goldman was born on July 2, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois. He spent his formative years in Buffalo Grove, a suburb of Chicago. Following the divorce of his parents in 1974, Goldman and his younger sister, Kim, were raised by their father, Fred Goldman. He attended Twin Groves Junior High School and later graduated from Adlai Stevenson High School in 1986. During his high school years, Goldman was known for his kind demeanor, athleticism, and participation in soccer and tennis.

After high school, Goldman briefly attended Illinois State University before dropping out after one year. He then relocated to California, where his family had moved. In California, Goldman explored various job opportunities as he sought to carve out his path in life. He worked as a tennis instructor and a waiter, all while maintaining a strong commitment to health and fitness through regular gym workouts and abstaining from alcohol. In addition to these roles, Goldman dabbled as a nightclub promoter and even modeled on occasion. He harbored aspirations of becoming a restaurateur, envisioning a restaurant named “Ankh,” after the Egyptian symbol of eternal life.

Untimely Death

While employed as a waiter at Mezzaluna, a restaurant in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, Goldman became acquainted with Nicole Brown Simpson, the ex-wife of former football star O.J. Simpson. Although their friendship was not particularly close, Brown Simpson occasionally allowed Goldman to borrow her convertible Ferrari.

On the evening of June 12, 1994, the 25-year-old Goldman volunteered to return a pair of glasses that Brown Simpson had inadvertently left at Mezzaluna earlier that night. He intended to drop off the glasses before meeting a friend for a night out, but he never arrived at his destination.

Goldman and Brown Simpson were tragically killed outside her home sometime between 10:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. that night. Their bodies were discovered in the early hours of June 13. Goldman had been stabbed multiple times and was regarded as an innocent bystander who had inadvertently witnessed the attack on Brown Simpson, the intended victim. O.J. Simpson quickly emerged as a suspect in the horrific double homicide and was later charged criminally with both murders.

The Search for Justice

O.J. Simpson was put on trial for the murders of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson less than six months after their tragic deaths. The case, often referred to as the “Trial of the Century,” unfolded over several months and attracted significant media attention. Throughout the proceedings, Goldman’s family was prominently present, with his sister, Kim, and stepmother, Patti, attending regularly, while his father, Fred, frequently spoke out in the media about the case. Ultimately, in October 1995, the jury rendered a not guilty verdict for Simpson, the former Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.

Following Simpson’s acquittal, Fred and Kim Goldman initiated their own pursuit of justice by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against Simpson in civil court, joined by Nicole Brown Simpson’s family. The civil trial commenced in October 1996, and in a significant turn of events, the jury found Simpson liable for the deaths of Ron and Nicole. The verdict, delivered in February 1997, awarded the Goldman family $8.5 million in compensatory damages, alongside an additional $25 million in punitive damages, which were divided between the two families.

To honor Ron’s memory, the Goldmans held a gravestone unveiling ceremony in June 1995, adhering to Jewish tradition. They also established the Ron Goldman Foundation for Justice to further advocate for victims and their families.