LOS ANGELES (AP) - Carmelita Durio, O.J. Simpson's sister who collapsed in a Las Vegas courtroom when he was convicted of robbery and kidnapping, died Monday in a Sacramento hospital, a family friend said.

Tom Scotto told The Associated Press in a phone interview that he did not know the exact cause of death but said that her kidneys had failed in recent days. He said he believed she was in her early 60s.

"I think it was the stress. She just couldn't take it," Scotto said, noting that she had declined since October, when she last saw her brother led out of a courtroom in handcuffs. That day, she collapsed and paramedics were called to revive her.

"Ever since the trial she just hasn't been well," said Scotto, who spoke to her every few days.

He said she was taken to a hospital about three weeks ago, was released to a rehabilitation facility but then was returned to the hospital recently and fell into a coma.

"Her kidneys just shut down," he said. "They don't know what happened."

He said Durio's husband, Charles, and another Simpson sister, Shirley Baker, were with her when she died.

Simpson, who is in a Nevada state prison at Lovelock, Nev., was notified of his sister's death according to Nevada Department of Corrections spokeswoman Suzanne Pardee.

Simpson is serving a sentence of nine to 33 years in prison.

Funeral arrangements were pending. Scotto said the family hoped that Simpson would be allowed to come to the funeral. Pardee said it was unlikely he would be allowed to go even if he could afford to pay to be transported. But she said the issue had not yet been raised.

Simpson, 61, had been in Las Vegas for Scotto's wedding when he was arrested with a group of other men who confronted two memorabilia collectors at a hotel room and seized items Simpson said were his stolen possessions.

Carmelita S Durio