Virginia Giuffre, probably the most outspoken accusers of Jeffrey Epstein, died by suicide on Friday, Giuffre’s household confirmed in an announcement offered to CBS Information.Â
Giuffre died at her farm in Western Australia, her household stated. She was 41.
“She misplaced her life to suicide, after being a lifelong sufferer of sexual abuse and intercourse trafficking,” her household’s assertion learn. “Virginia was a fierce warrior within the struggle in opposition to sexual abuse and intercourse trafficking. She was the sunshine that lifted so many survivors. Regardless of all of the adversity she confronted in her life, she shone so vibrant. She will probably be missed past measure.”
In an announcement offered to CBS Information’ associate, Community 10, Australian police stated a lady was discovered unresponsive Friday night time at a residence in Neergabby, with out confirming Giuffre’s identify because of their coverage. Officers offered emergency first-aid, however the 41-year-old was declared deceased on the scene, police stated.
Her dying is being investigated by native police detectives, however authorities indicated that the dying was not suspicious in nature.
A couple of month earlier than her dying, Giuffre was severely injured when a automotive she was driving in was hit by a faculty bus in Western Australia.
Giuffre had alleged that Epstein sexually trafficked her to Britain’s Prince Andrew and others. Prince Andrew has denied these claims. Giuffre filed a lawsuit in opposition to Andrew in 2021, alleging that she was sexually abused by Andrew when she was 17. An out-of-court settlement was reached in 2022.
“Virginia was far more than a consumer to me; she was a pricey pal and an unbelievable champion for different victims,” her lawyer, Sigrid McCawley, stated in an announcement. Her braveness pushed me to struggle tougher, and her power was awe-inspiring. The world has misplaced an incredible human being at present. Relaxation in peace, my candy angel.”   Â
Giuffre was born in California and in grade faculty she moved to Florida along with her household. Giuffre skilled a troubled childhood rising up, telling the Miami Herald that at age 7, she was first molested by a household pal. She stated the abuse “turned my whole life round. The whole lot modified.”
Giuffre met British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell within the early 2000s when working as a locker room attendant at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago membership in Palm Seashore, the place her father was a upkeep supervisor. Giuffre stated Maxwell linked her with Epstein and others.
In 2019, Epstein, a convicted intercourse offender, was arrested on federal intercourse trafficking expenses. A month after he was arrested, Epstein was discovered useless in his cell at a Manhattan jail as he awaited trial on intercourse trafficking expenses. His dying was dominated a suicide.Â
Giuffre had additionally accused Epstein’s former girlfriend, Maxwell, of grooming and abusing her when she was 17, telling CBS Information in 2020 that Maxwell “was the man controlling Jeffrey.” Maxwell was convicted in 2022 and sentenced to 20 years in jail for serving to Epstein sexually abuse underage ladies for at the very least a decade.
Giuffre shaped a nonprofit referred to as Communicate Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR) to coach and advocate for intercourse trafficking victims.
If you happen to or somebody you already know is in emotional misery or a suicidal disaster, you may attain the 988 Suicide & Disaster Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You may also chat with the 988 Suicide & Disaster Lifeline right here.
For extra details about psychological well being care assets and help, The Nationwide Alliance on Psychological Sickness (NAMI) HelpLine might be reached Monday by way of Friday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or electronic mail information@nami.org.
