Virginia Giuffre, who accused disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein and Britain’s Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, has taken her personal life at her residence in Australia, her household mentioned on Saturday.
Giuffre, a US and Australian citizen, was 41.
“It’s with completely damaged hearts that we announce that Virginia handed away final night time at her farm in Western Australia,” the household mentioned in assertion offered to AFP by her agent.
“She misplaced her life to suicide, after being a lifelong sufferer of sexual abuse and intercourse trafficking.”
Took his personal life
Giuffre had accused Epstein of utilizing her as a intercourse slave, and mentioned she had intercourse with Prince Andrew when she was 17 – a minor beneath US regulation – after assembly him by way of the American billionaire.
In 2019, Epstein took his personal life in a New York Metropolis jail cell, whereas awaiting his personal trial for intercourse crimes.
Prince Andrew repeatedly denied her allegation of sexual assault and averted trial by paying a multimillion-dollar settlement.
As a part of the deal, he reportedly gave cash to a charity for sex-trafficking victims.
“There are not any phrases that may categorical the grave loss we really feel immediately with the passing of our candy Virginia,” Giuffre’s household mentioned, remembering her “unimaginable braveness and loving spirit”.
“In the long run, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it grew to become insufferable for Virginia to deal with its weight. We all know that she is with the angels.”
Western Australia police, who don’t verify identities in such instances, mentioned emergency providers gave first help after being alerted on Friday night time {that a} 41-year-woman had been discovered unresponsive at a house in Neergabby, north of Perth.
“Sadly, the 41-year-old girl was declared deceased on the scene,” they mentioned in an announcement.
‘Awe-inspiring’
Detectives have been investigating however “early indication is the demise will not be suspicious”, police mentioned.
Virginia Giuffre was taken to hospital after a automobile she was in crashed with a faculty bus in late March north of Perth.
Giuffre initially posted an image to social media from her hospital mattress of her bruised face, saying she solely had 4 days to stay.
Her agent later mentioned Giuffre had not realised the put up was being revealed to the general public.
Western Australia police mentioned on the time it was a “minor crash” between a faculty bus carrying 29 youngsters and one other automobile.
Giuffre left three youngsters, Christian, Noah, and Emily, who have been “the sunshine of her life”, her household mentioned.
Native media have reported there have been difficulties between her and estranged husband Robert.
After she was reportedly charged with breaching a household violence restraining order in February, her agent mentioned that Giuffre “seems to be ahead to defending herself in opposition to his malicious declare”.
Giuffre was “deeply involved” in regards to the welfare of her youngsters who have been in her husband’s custody, the agent mentioned.
Giuffre’s lawyer, Sigrid McCawley, mentioned she had been a “expensive pal” and a champion for different victims.
“Her braveness pushed me to battle more durable, and her power was awe-inspiring.”
New York-based agent Dini von Mueffling described her consumer as “one of the extraordinary human beings”.
“Deeply loving, clever, and humorous, she was a beacon to different survivors and victims,” she mentioned.
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By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
