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Virginia Giuffre – the woman who publicly accused Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew for sexual abuse – has died at the age of 41.
Giuffre made international headlines when she brought a lawsuit against Andrew and claimed he had sex with her while she was still in her teens.
News about Giuffre’s death comes with the permission of her family that revealed that she had taken her own life.
Virginia Giuffre died of suicide, confirms family
According to a statement from her family, Giuffre died near her home in Neergabby, Australia.
“Giuffre lost his life to suicide after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trade,” her family said.
“Virginia was a tough warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and trade in sex. She was the light that lifted so many survivors. Despite all the adversity she was facing in her life, she shone so bright. She will be missed out of goal. The light of her life was her children Christians, Noah and Emily.
“It was when she held her newborn daughter in her arms that Virginia realized that she had to fight against those who had abused her and so many others,” the statement continued.
“There are no words that can express the serious loss we feel today with the departure of our sweet Virginia. She was heroic and will always be remembered for her incredible courage and loving spirit. In the end, the tax of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to deal with her weight. We know she is with the angels.”
A lawyer who represented Virginia in his high -profile lawsuit against Andrew also issued a statement.
“Virginia was much more than a client to me; she was a dear friend and an incredible master of other victims,” ​​said lawyer Sigrid McCawley.
“Her courage pressed me to fight harder, and her strength was awe -inspiring. The world has lost an amazing human being today. Rest in peace, my sweet angel.”
Last month, Giuffre claimed she had only four days to live after being severely wounded in a car accident.
Virginia spoke on social media after the conviction of Epstein accompanied Ghislaine Maxwell in 2022.
“My soul longed for justice for years, and today the jury gave me just that. I will always remember this day,” Posted Giuffre on X (formerly Twitter) at the time and added:
“After living with the horrors of Maxwell’s abuse, my heart goes out to the many other girls and young women who suffered from her hands, and whose life she destroyed.”
Our thoughts go out to Virginia’s loved ones in this enormous difficult time.
We will have additional updates on this evolving story as more information becomes available.