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New York Times Investigation Revives Questions About Possible Accomplice in 1994 Simpson Murders
By Drooid · · How we work
The Alleged Night-Time Return of Joey Ippolito
On the night of June 12 1994, Joseph “Joey” Ippolito—identified in the investigation as a convicted drug trafficker with mafia connections—was alleged by his brother Sam to have come back to a Los Angeles apartment around midnight with blood on his hands and a heavy bag. Sam said he disposed of the bag in a dumpster near a construction site on Doheny Drive after Joey showered. The claim appears in a newly unsealed New York Times report that also cites federal court records indicating that Ippolito, after becoming a government informant, provided authorities with information about Simpson’s alleged disposal of the murder weapon, which was never recovered. The allegations remain unproven; Joey Ippolito was never called to testify, and the contents of the bag were never identified.
Background & Context
Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were stabbed to death outside Nicole’s Los Angeles home in 1994. Former NFL star O.J. Simpson was acquitted in a 1995 criminal trial and later found liable in a 1997 civil suit. The LAPD has kept the case open, and the murder weapon has never been recovered. The new investigation surfaces more than three decades after the original trial, as reported on October 19 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
Legal analyst Rikki Klieman said the new information warrants further review by authorities. Former prosecutor Marcia Clark told the Times she had no knowledge of Ippolito and would have been informed if credible evidence had emerged. Malcolm LaVergne, speaking for Simpson’s estate, noted that the three principal witnesses—Nicole, Ronald and Simpson—are deceased and cannot provide firsthand accounts. Federal prosecutor David Kelley, who authored the 1996 memorandum describing Ippolito as a valuable source, later stated he does not believe Ippolito was involved in the killings. Retired LAPD detective Tom Lange characterized the accomplice theory as having “pretty close to zero” evidentiary support, noting that no physical evidence links Ippolito to the murders.
Criticism & Opposition
Marcia Clark’s lack of prior knowledge of Ippolito underscores institutional skepticism. Tom Lange echoed this view, pointing out the absence of any tangible evidence and the fact that the LAPD never interviewed Ippolito during the original investigation. David Kelley’s assessment that Ippolito was not a murder suspect further weakens the claim of direct involvement.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Allegation vs. Verification: Sam Ippolito’s claim of blood-stained hands and a heavy bag is uncorroborated; he later sought payment from the Times, then retracted his statements, saying he could no longer distinguish fact from confusion.
- No Testimony: Neither Joey nor Sam Ippolito were called as witnesses in the criminal trial, and the LAPD never interviewed Joey despite his name appearing in tips.
- Unidentified Bag Contents: The bag’s contents were never recovered or identified, leaving the alleged disposal of the murder weapon speculative.
- Federal Records: The unsealed memorandum confirms Ippolito shared information about the case with prosecutors, but it does not specify that the information pertained to direct involvement in the murders.
What’s Next
The LAPD has confirmed that the double-murder case remains an open investigation. No scheduled hearings, deadlines, or further disclosures have been announced as of the latest reporting.