Virginia Giuffre: Jeffrey Epstein's prominent abuse survivor dies by suicide

Virginia Giuffre, one of the prominent survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse, has died by suicide at the age of 41. Her family confirmed the news on Friday, stating that she died in Neergabby, Australia.

Giuffre was a strong voice against sexual abuse and trafficking, particularly speaking out against Epstein and his enablers. She gave many other victims the courage to come forward and tell their stories.

Giuffre played a key role in helping police with information that resulted in the conviction of Epstein's associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. She also helped in multiple investigations by the US attorney for the Southern District of New York.

"It is with utterly broken hearts that we announce that Virginia passed away last night at her farm in Western Australia," her family said in a statement. "She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking."

The family described Giuffre as "a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking" and said that the "toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight."

COURAGEOUS FIGHT FOR JUSTICE

Giuffre had a troubled life from an early age. Raised in Florida, she was sexually abused by a family friend, which eventually led her to live on the streets.

As a teenager, she met Maxwell, who allegedly groomed her to be sexually abused by Epstein between 1999 and 2002. Giuffre later alleged that Epstein had trafficked her to powerful men, including Prince Andrew and modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel.

Epstein, the financier in the abuse scandal, took his own life in 2019 while awaiting trial for charges of sex trafficking. Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 for her involvement in recruiting underage girls for Epstein, received a prison sentence. Giuffre also sued Prince Andrew in 2021, alleging he had abused her when she was 17 years old. The case settled in 2022, although Andrew denied the allegations.

In 2021, Giuffre courageously testified against Brunel in a court in France, demanding justice for herself and the other victims. After the trial, she said, "I wanted Brunel to know that he no longer has the power over me. I’ve decided to hold him accountable for what he did to me and so many others."

Giuffre moved to Australia with her husband and children before Epstein’s arrest.

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