O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson's Kid...

Godfather to O

Published Time: 13.04.2024 - 04:31:09 Modified Time: 13.04.2024 - 04:31:09

Godfather to O.J. Simpson’s youngest child, Justin, is reflecting on the bond they formed during the infamous trial following Simpson's death from cancer on April 10.

David Brobeck exclusively tells PEOPLE that amid the murder trial against O.J., he watched after Justin Ryan and Sydney Brooke, who were respectively 5 and 8 years old at the time.

Their father was arrested in 1994 in connection with the brutal murders of their mother, Nicole Brown Simpson, and waiter Ron Goldman, both of which occurred outside of her Los Angeles home on June 12, 1994.

The 79-year-old retired trial attorney explains to PEOPLE that 30 years following the trial, both of O.J. and Brown Simpson’s two children have found a “good life.”

Brobeck says that he and his wife, Gaye, were close friends and neighbors of Brown Simpson’s family. As the criminal proceedings against O.J. continued, Justin and Sydney would stay with their late mother’s parents, Lou and Judy. The children, in turn, also spent time with Brobeck and his wife “almost every day.”

He notes that he and his wife “really bonded” with the “really special kids,” who also served as their “practice grandkids.”

While the children were living with the Brown family in Dana Point in Orange County, Calif., Brobeck tells PEOPLE, the community “rallied” around the kids. “The kids received tremendous love and attention and support,” he says.

“We live in a guarded area, so the media could not get in here, which was a blessing. And so the kids were, I think, very well and loved by a lot of folks here.” He adds that the efforts to support Justin and Sydney went as far as covering tabloid covers in markets and drug stores. “We took them places that were really safe.”

He recalls how they tried to keep the kids home and hosted “slumber parties,” played in the Brobec -

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k’s game room, and baked cookies with them and their local cousins. “We just happened to be across street neighbors who knew them and were here, and the kids just gravitated to us.”

"It was really fun. It was hard when they went back, but I think they benefited later on being with their dad,” shares Brobeck, adding, “But they both went to good, great colleges and graduated, and they've got a good life.” Brobeck reveals that once the kids were back in their father's custody, O.J. called Brobeck’s wife to thank the couple for their help.

“They've grown up, and they have their own families now, and they're doing really well,” says Brobeck, adding that he’s seen recently seen Justin. “They're solid solid people and parents, and we just wish them all the best and give them lots of love.”

“We stay in touch with Justin,” adds Brobeck. “He's a really solid young man. I still call him a kid or young man, he's like 35 years old ... Yeah, just a great person and his wife Alycia Browne is wonderful and their little child Lana is wonderful."

“Our special time and then years beyond, we've stayed in touch and seen them and just loved on them and we pray for 'em,” says Brobeck, reiterating “They're special kids and we are super proud of them.”

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Along with Sydney and Justin, the former NFL player shared three children, Arnelle, Jason and Aaren, with his first wife, Marguerite Whitley. Aaren died after drowning a month before her 2nd birthday.