Virginia Giuffre, the woman who accused Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew of sexually abusing her, has died by suicide at the age of 41, according to her family.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Giuffre’s family confirmed she had died by suicide at her farm in Western Australia.
“It is with utterly broken hearts that we announce that Virginia passed away last night at her farm in Western Australia,” the statement read. “She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking.”
“In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight.”
In the statement, her family described Giuffre as “a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking” and “the light that lifted so many survivors.” They also praised her “incredible courage and loving spirit”.
“There are no words that can express the grave loss we feel today with the passing of our sweet Virginia.”
Giuffre was widely known for her efforts to expose Epstein’s sex trafficking network, which she was recruited into at the age of 16 by Ghislaine Maxwell. She has also alleged she was “passed around like a platter of fruit” to rich and powerful men, including Prince Andrew, who has consistently denied the accusations.
In 2021, she filed a lawsuit against Prince Andrew, alleging the former Duke of York had sexually abused her when she was under 18 at Epstein’s Manhattan mansion and on his private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands between 1999 and 2002. The lawsuit was settled out of court in early 2022.
Giuffre was the first of Epstein’s victims to relinquish her anonymity and go public, selling her story to the British tabloid the Mail on Sunday in 2011.
In 2019, she revealed that she was prompted her to speak out about her abuse after the birth of her daughter in 2010.
Last month, Giuffre revealed on Instagram that she had “four days to live” after being injured in an automobile accident with a school bus in rural Western Australia. Her family released a statement, saying that police had advised “anyone [who was] injured… should make their way to the hospital.”
But WA Police released their own statement, saying they had no record of a phone call placed following the crash.
“We’re aware that there was a minor crash between a school bus that had 29 children on board and another vehicle,” Commander Mike Bell told reporters. “”It’s a minor matter … because there was no injuries, there is no need for us to attend. It’s not a requirement.”
Described by Ginger Gorman as “a public and outspoken warrior against sexual predation,” Giuffre launched her non=profit Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR) in November 2021 with the aim of helping survivors and creating awareness of abuse and trafficking.
Controversial broadcaster Piers Morgan tweeted on X, “Good grief, how incredibly sad. Another horrific twist in Epstein’s evil legacy. That monster ruined so many lives.”
Black activist cultural platform beingblackislit wrote that Giuffre’s death “marks a profound loss to the survivor community and those fighting against sex trafficking.”
“She is survived by her three children and remembered fondly by family, friends, and legal allies.”
If you need help and advice call 1800Respect on 1800 737 732, Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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