Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre takes own life in Australia: family

_________________

Sydney, Australia | AFP

Virginia Giuffre, who accused disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein and Britain's Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, has taken her own life at her home in Australia, her family said Saturday.

Giuffre, a US and Australian citizen, was 41.

"It is with utterly broken hearts that we announce that Virginia passed away last night at her farm in Western Australia," the family said in a statement provided to AFP by her agent.

"She lost her life to suicide after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking."

Giuffre had accused Epstein of using her as a sex slave, and said she had sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17 -- a minor under US law -- after meeting him through the American billionaire.

In 2019, Epstein took his own life in a New York City jail cell while awaiting his own trial for sex crimes.

Prince Andrew repeatedly denied her allegation of sexual assault and avoided trial by paying a multimillion-dollar settlement. As part of the deal, he reportedly gave money to a charity for sex-trafficking victims.

(L-R) Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell posing for a photo. (AFP)

"There are no words that can express the grave loss we feel today with the passing of our sweet Virginia," Giuffre's family said, remembering her "incredible courage and loving spirit".

"In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight. We know that she is with the angels."

Western Australia police, who do not confirm identities in such cases, said emergency services gave first aid after being alerted Friday night that a 41-year-woman had been found unresponsive at a home in Neergabby, north of Perth.

"Sadly, the 41-year-old woman was declared deceased at the scene," they said in a statement. 

'Awe-inspiring'

Detectives were investigating, but "early indication is the death is not suspicious", police said.

Giuffre was taken to the hospital after a car she was in crashed with a school bus in late March, north of Perth.

Giuffre initially posted a picture to social media from her hospital bed of her bruised face, saying she only had four days to live.

Her agent later said Giuffre had not realised the post was being published to the public.

Western Australia police said at the time it was a "minor crash" between a school bus carrying 29 children and another vehicle.

Giuffre left three children, Christian, Noah, and Emily, who were "the light of her life", her family said.

Local media have reported that there were difficulties between her and her estranged husband, Robert.

After she was reportedly charged with breaching a family violence restraining order in February, her agent said that Giuffre "looks forward to defending herself against his malicious claim".

Giuffre was "deeply concerned" about the welfare of her children, who were in her husband's custody, the agent said.

Giuffre's lawyer, Sigrid McCawley, said she had been a "dear friend" and a champion for other victims.

"Her courage pushed me to fight harder, and her strength was awe-inspiring."

New York-based agent Dini von Mueffling described her client as "one of the most extraordinary human beings".

"Deeply loving, wise, and funny, she was a beacon to other survivors and victims," she said.

AFP looks at the key dates in the far-reaching scandal:

2019: Epstein arrested

On July 6, 2019, Epstein, a hedge fund manager with an entourage of celebrity friends, is arrested upon return to the United States from France in a private jet and later charged with sex trafficking minors. He faced up to 45 years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors say Epstein -- who had previously been convicted in Florida of paying young girls for massages -- sexually exploited dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14, at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida, between 2002 and 2005.

Epstein suicide

On August 10, Epstein, who had pleaded not guilty, hanged himself at Manhattan's Metropolitan Correctional Centre. He was 66.

Two prison guards are charged with failing to monitor him properly. But his death fuels conspiracy theories that he was murdered.

Both the FBI and the US Justice Department opened probes.

French probe

Days after Epstein's death, French prosecutors open a separate inquiry into the suspected rape and sexual abuse of minors linked to the scandal.

Epstein's sumptuous apartment near the Champs-Élysées in Paris is searched.

Prince Andrew implicated

In November 2019, Britain's Prince Andrew, a friend of Epstein, gave a "disastrous" interview to the BBC in which he defended his ties to the disgraced financier.

Andrew denies claims he had sex with Giuffre, who alleges she was trafficked as a teenager.

Three days after the interview, Queen Elizabeth II's second son steps back from royal duties.

2020: Ghislaine Maxwell arrested

On July 2, 2020, Epstein's companion and former girlfriend, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, was arrested in the United States and charged with sex trafficking minors for him.

The daughter of the former British media mogul Robert Maxwell pleads not guilty and is placed in detention.

Brunel charged

On December 17, French prosecutors imprison modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, a former close associate of Epstein, on charges of raping minors and sexual harassment.

2021: Embarrassing contacts

Leon Black, the head of Investment firm Apollo Global Management, stepped down because of his business links with Epstein in March 2021.

In August, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said it was a "huge mistake" to socialise with Epstein.

Three months later, British bank Barclays parts company with its chief executive, Jes Staley, because of his historical ties to Epstein.

Prince Andrew accused

In August, Giuffre lodges a complaint against Prince Andrew in New York, saying she was forced into having sex with him when she was 17 and a minor. The British police re-examine the accusations but in October say they will take no further action.

Maxwell found guilty

(FILES) This undated trial evidence image obtained December 8, 2021, from the US District Court for the Southern District of New York shows British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell (L) and US financier Jeffrey Epstein (R). (AFP)

On December 29, Maxwell was found guilty by a New York court of five counts, including the most serious charge of sex trafficking a minor.

Her lawyer says she will appeal.

2022: Prince Andrew settles

On January 12, 2022, US prosecutors refused to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit brought by Giuffre against Prince Andrew.

He is stripped the next day of his military titles.

In February, the prince settled the lawsuit for an unspecified sum, according to a court filing. The British press estimates the sum at more than £12m ($14.6m).

As part of the agreement, the British royal will make a "substantial donation" to a charity established by Giuffre that supports sex trafficking victims.

In March, the New York lawsuit was dropped.

Brunel dies

In February, former modelling agent Brunel is found hanged in his prison cell in Paris. A probe is opened.

Maxwell sentenced

On June 28, 2022, Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in jail.

2025: Giuffre suicide

Giuffre takes her own life at her home in Australia, her family says in a statement, weeks after she was hospitalised following a car crash.