Virginia Giuffre, Epstein accuser, dies aged 41

Canberra

Virginia Giuffre, who accused Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, has died by suicide at the age of 41, her family announced.

Giuffre was known for bravely speaking out against convicted sex offenders Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. She said they trafficked her to the Duke of York when she was just 17, a claim Prince Andrew has strongly denied.

Her family described her as "a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse," adding that "the toll of abuse became unbearable." Giuffre died at her farm in Western Australia on Friday.

Police in Western Australia said they found her unresponsive at her home. They stated her death is not being treated as suspicious.

Giuffre, born in the US, had been living in North Perth with her husband Robert and their three children. Reports suggested the couple recently separated after 22 years of marriage.

Three weeks ago, she mentioned being seriously injured in a car accident on Instagram, though police later questioned how serious it was.

Giuffre’s spokesperson, Dini von Mueffling, praised her as "one of the most extraordinary human beings" and a "beacon to other survivors and victims."

After sharing her story, Giuffre became a strong voice in the Me Too movement. She alleged Epstein and Maxwell abused her for years after meeting Maxwell in 2000.

Prince Andrew settled a lawsuit with her in 2022 without admitting wrongdoing. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial, and Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in the abuse.