Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s most prominent accusers, has died by suicide aged 41, her family has confirmed to the BBC.
They said in a statement on Friday that “the toll of abuse” became too heavy in a statement confirming her death.
“She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking,” a statement from her family reads.
Giuffre was one of the most outspoken accusers of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. She alleged they trafficked her to the Duke of York when she was 17, which Prince Andrew has strenuously denied.
“Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She was the light that lifted so many survivors,” her family’s statement said.
It said she died Thursday on her farm in Western Australia.
Giuffre alleged that Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell trafficked her to the Duke of York when she was 17. Prince Andrew has denied all claims but reached an out-of-court settlement with her in 2022.
The settlement included a statement in which he expressed regret for his association with Epstein but contained no admission of liability or apology.
Giuffre, an American, said she became a victim of sex trafficking when she was a teenager.
She said in the year 2000, she met Maxwell, a British socialite. From there, she was introduced to Epstein and alleges years of abuse before being “passed around like a platter of fruit” among his powerful associates.
If you are suffering distress or despair, details of help and support in the UK are available at BBC Action Line. In the US, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255 or the Crisis Test Line by texting HOME to 741741. Help is also available in the US and Canada by dialing 988. Young people in need of help can call Kids Help Phone on 1-800-668-6868
