A Witness to Love: Kim Goldman on Grief and Making a Difference Through Action
- By Website Editor
- •
- 19 Feb, 2020
Kim Goldman knows a lot about grief. When her brother Ron was murdered in Brentwood, CA while trying to defend his friend Nicole Brown from a brutal attack in 1995, Goldman’s world was thrown into a tailspin. Her grief was splashed across every television screen in America during the “Trial of the Century,” where Goldman and her father Fred sat every day during a grueling nine months of proceedings. Twenty-five years later, on the anniversary of his death, she launched the acclaimed Wondery podcast Confronting: O.J. Simpson.
“I didn’t go into the project thinking of it as a method of grieving,” Goldman says, “because I grieve him every day. I wanted to take back control of a narrative that had impacted me but had always unfolded around me.”
Over the years, Goldman recognized that Ron and Nicole’s deaths and the emotionally violent trial that followed had affected a large population of those close to the case.
“My father and I have had many opportunities to speak out over the years, but we were always editorialized,” she explains. “I wanted a platform where we could get our story out in our own words, but along the way I found comfort in connecting with others who had been so negatively affected.”
She mentions Jill Shively, the Brentwood resident who witnessed the defendant in Ron and Nicole’s murder trial driving erratically on the night of the murders, but who was never called to testify in court. She mentions Kato Kaelin, the lovable surfer-dude witness who lived in the defendant’s guest house and faced ridicule in the courtroom and the media. She mentions Chris Darden, the co-prosecutor who lost his own brother to AIDS during the trial. “Kato thought my father and I hated him,” Goldman says with compassionate regret.
The podcast follows Goldman as she catches up with Shively, Darden, and Kaelin as well as prosecutor Marcia Clark and a juror who faced accusations of racial bias after rendering a not guilty verdict. “Reconnecting with these people gave me comfort and I was able to give them comfort, too. It was cathartic in a different way than I thought it would be.”
As the podcast series winds down, Goldman finds herself in the company of grief counselor David Kessler. This particular episode stands out with the eye-opening advice Kessler offers Goldman: “Don’t hide your grief. Grief is a witness to love.”
“Grief is inconsistent and volatile and unpredictable,” Goldman says. “I grieve Ron every day in some way.” What she misses the most about her brother - her best friend and closest confidant - was the future that they were working toward before his brutal death.
“It was just me, Ron, and my Dad,” Goldman says. “Ron and I were always close and wanted to live in the same neighborhood, raise our kids to play together. I was studying to be a child psychologist and Ron wanted to open a restaurant,” she laments, the mournful memory clear in her voice.
That trajectory crashed off course with Ron’s death. While devastating, Goldman has used the tragic loss to build a life dedicated to honoring her brother through service. Today, Goldman runs a nonprofit that provides free mental health support to teenagers. She has worked with children with disabilities and autism, advocated for victims’ rights, and is involved in countless community outreach programs.
“I want to live my life with integrity and grace and the selflessness that Ron showed in his final moments,” Goldman says. “It’s what he would have done; it’s what he would have wanted; and it’s why I’m here.”
Goldman will bring that mission to the stage at CrimeCon 2020, where she will help the audience get to know her brother -- and hopefully gain a new perspective. “I’m fascinated with the fascination with true crime,” she says with a small laugh. “I want to show attendees what happens when they stop watching, when the cameras stop rolling.”
Though there will certainly be tears, attendees shouldn’t expect only a tear-jerking story of tragedy and grief. “I’m a big believer in action and takeaways,” she says with a renewed conviction in her voice. “For so long my father and I thought we couldn’t make a difference, when we just didn’t know how. But everyone can take action and make a difference, whether it’s voting in local elections, getting involved in their communities. Start small, find your voice, find a movement and go for it.”
CrimeCon Returns to London on 7th and 8th June 2025: A Must-Attend Event for True Crime Enthusiasts
Exciting news for true crime aficionados – CrimeCon is making its much-anticipated return to London on 7th and 8th June 2025! As the biggest UK event for those with a passion for the true crime genre, this is an unmissable opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of crime, justice, and investigation, all set in the heart of the UK capital.
CrimeCon UK has built a reputation as the ultimate true crime experience, where enthusiasts, experts, educators and professionals come together to explore high-profile cases, delve into forensic science, and hear from those at the forefront of criminal investigation. 2025 promises to be the best event yet - being more captivating than ever before.
What to Expect at CrimeCon 2025
Building on the enormous success of past years, CrimeCon London 2025 will once again offer attendees exclusive access to leading criminal experts, investigative journalists, detectives, and true crime content creators. With a packed schedule of live panels, interactive discussions, and real-life case studies, this year's event is guaranteed to leave attendees with insights into some of the most talked-about cases and topical true crime themes. Not only this, CrimeCon UK puts victims and advocacy for justice at the heart of the event - making sure that CrimeCon is a platform for every story that needs to be told.
Here's a glimpse of what awaits attendees at CrimeCon 2025:
- Exclusive Interviews and Case Debriefs: Hear directly from those involved in some of the UK’s most intriguing and infamous criminal cases, hearing from those that were directly impacted by criminality.
- Meet Your Favorite True Crime Content Creators: The digital world has revolutionised the true crime genre, and CrimeCon will be bringing top content creators together to discuss their platforms, methods, and deep dives into unsolved mysteries.
- Interactive Exhibits and Forensic Workshops: Put your sleuthing skills to the test as you take part in immersive activities, which have, in the past, included forensic analysis and criminal profiling.
- Q&A Sessions with Experts: Get the chance to ask burning questions to investigators, criminologists, and legal professionals.
Who Should Attend?
Whether you're a die-hard true crime fan, a criminal justice professional, or just someone curious about the world of crime-solving, CrimeCon is perfect for you. The event brings together a diverse community of people who share a passion for exploring the darker side of humanity while discussing critical issues of justice and victim advocacy.
For those already familiar with popular crime podcasts, books, and documentaries, this is your chance to engage with the experts and learn more about the complexities behind these stories. CrimeCon offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in a friendly, inclusive atmosphere.
Secure Your Spot
Tickets for CrimeCon London 2025 are expected to sell out fast, so be sure to grab yours soon. Various ticket packages are be available, offering different levels of access, from basic admission to VIP and Platinum experiences, where you can enjoy perks such as exclusive sessions with speakers, early access to certain events and enhanced event benefits.
To find out more and to book your tickets, click here. Don't miss out on being part of the most thrilling true crime event of the year!
Now is your chance to ensure your favourite true crime content from 2023 is recognised in the TCAs!
VIEWERS' CHOICE: Whether it's your favourite series, documentary film or influencer - make sure you submit your thoughts on your favourite on-screen true crime content today! Remember - only content released in 2023 is eligible and will be counted.
LISTENERS' CHOICE: All True Crime podcasts (that released content that is available in the UK during 2023) are eligible to be nominated so be sure that your go-to true crime podcast is recognised!
READERS' CHOICE:
Which true crime book caught your attention in 2023? As long as it was first published last year then it's eligible to be nominated, so cast your vote today!
Voting is now open and closes on 31st March 2024.
Those with the most votes will be recognised and awarded at the True Crime Awards which is scheduled to take place on 25th April 2024.
SERIES 5 EPISODE 2
AVAILABLE NOW
Damian Barr is joined by Shetland and Vera author Ann Cleeves to discuss her new novel, The Raging Storm. Lauren Lyle, star of the series Karen Pirie, reveals how she brings the Val McDermid character to life, and, on the 30th anniversary of Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh talks about the ITV crime series and his latest novel, The Long Knives. True crime podcasters (and our very own Nancy Baughen) rate Truman Capote classic In Cold Blood, and crime readers at the Shetland Noir Festival in Lerwick recommend their favourite reads.
If you'd like to catch up and watch this incredible episode of The Big Scottish Book Club, click here.
