Virginia Giuffre, who settled a sexual assault lawsuit against Prince Andrew after alleging she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein at 17, has died aged 41.
Her publicist confirmed she died at her home in Australia on Friday.
“It is with utterly broken hearts that we announce that Virginia passed away last night at her farm in Western Australia. She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking,” her family’s statement said.
It continued, “Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She was the light that lifted so many survivors,”
“Despite all the adversity she faced in her life, she shone so bright. She will be missed beyond measure.”
She was a prominent voice speaking out against Jeffrey Epstein, alleging she had been groomed and sexually assaulted by the disgraced financier and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
She settled a civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew out of court in 2022. The Duke of York denies all accusations and made no admission of wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
Her publicist Dini von Mueffling described Giuffre as “deeply loving, wise and funny”.
“She adored her children and many animals. She was always more concerned with me than with herself,” she wrote in a statement.
“I will miss her beyond words. It was the privilege of a lifetime to represent her.”
Western Australia Police said they were called to a home on Friday night, where Virginia was found unresponsive.
It’s statement said, “The death is being investigated by Major Crime detectives; early indication is the death is not suspicious.”
More to follow.