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Virginia Giuffre, known for her allegations against Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein regarding sexual abuse, has died by suicide at the age of 41, according to her family.
Ms. Giuffre was a prominent voice among the victims of convicted sex offenders Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, his former partner. She claimed they trafficked her to Prince Andrew when she was just 17 years old, a charge that the Duke of York has consistently denied.
In a statement released on Friday, her relatives described her as a “fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse” and acknowledged the immense toll that years of abuse had taken on her life.
“Her tragic death by suicide is a direct consequence of her lifelong experiences as a victim of sexual abuse and trafficking,” they stated.
Her family characterized her as a beacon of hope for many survivors and revealed that she passed away on her farm in Western Australia.
Authorities from West Australia reported their response to a call at her residence in Neergabby on Friday night, where she was found unresponsive.
A statement indicated that Major Crime detectives are investigating her death, but preliminary findings suggest that it is not suspicious.
Originally from the United States, Ms. Giuffre had been living in the North Perth area with her husband Robert and their three children. There were recent reports indicating that the couple may have separated after 22 years of marriage.
Three weeks before her death, she shared on social media about being seriously injured in a car accident, a detail later clarified by her family as not intended for public dissemination. Local law enforcement contested the extent of her injuries from the incident.
Following her public allegations of abuse, Ms. Giuffre became an active advocate, strongly aligning with the Me Too movement to fight for justice for survivors.
She asserted that at 17, she was trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell to Prince Andrew, a charge he has repeatedly denied. In 2022, the prince settled an out-of-court case with her, a settlement that included a statement expressing regret for his association with Epstein but did not contain any acknowledgment of liability.
Giuffre has described her introduction to Maxwell, which occurred in 2000, as a turning point that led to her being acquainted with Epstein, marking the beginning of years of alleged abuse.
Epstein, who faced charges related to sex trafficking, died by suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial. He had previously been convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Maxwell received a 20-year prison sentence in the United States for her involvement in the trafficking and abuse orchestrated by Epstein.
For anyone experiencing distress, support is available. In the UK, you can find assistance through the BBC Action Line. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 or by texting HOME to 741741. Additional help is accessible by dialing 988 in both the US and Canada. Young people can contact Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868.
Source
www.bbc.com