The sad tale of Virginia Giuffre: Epstein accuser who made shocking claims dies by suicide in Australia

Virginia Giuffre , a key figure in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal , has died at the age of 41. Her death, confirmed by her publicist, occurred by suicide at her farm in Western Australia. Giuffre was known for her courageous role in exposing Epstein’s sex trafficking network and for her accusations against several high-profile men, including Britain's Prince Andrew.

In a statement, her family described her as a "fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking," adding, "despite all the adversity she faced in her life, she shone so bright. She will be missed beyond measure." Her publicist, Dini von Mueffling, called her "deeply loving, wise and funny," noting, "she adored her children and many animals."

Born Virginia Roberts, Giuffre became an advocate for survivors of sex trafficking after coming forward with allegations that played a major role in bringing Epstein’s abuses into public view. Epstein, a wealthy financier with connections to powerful individuals, died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges involving minors.

Giuffre’s accusations were critical to understanding the extent of Epstein’s crimes. She alleged that she was trafficked by Epstein starting at the age of 16, and subjected to years of sexual abuse. Among her most publicised claims was that Prince Andrew had sexually exploited her three times—once in London in 2001, again at Epstein’s New York mansion, and later in the US Virgin Islands.

“Ghislaine said, 'I want you to do for him what you do for Epstein,'” Giuffre told NBC News' "Dateline" in a 2019 interview. Giuffre maintained that Ghislaine Maxwell , Epstein’s close associate, recruited her under the guise of offering massage work, and then manipulated her into performing sexual acts for Epstein and his powerful associates.

Beyond Prince Andrew, Giuffre alleged that other influential men were also involved in Epstein’s trafficking network, although she did not name all of them publicly. She said Epstein and Maxwell arranged for her to travel internationally—to London, New York, and the US Virgin Islands—to be exploited.

Giuffre said her ordeal began at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump's Palm Beach club, where she worked as a spa attendant. It was there, she claimed, that Maxwell first approached her. Giuffre frequently spoke about the severe emotional and psychological impact the abuse had on her, describing long-lasting trauma and difficulties in forming relationships.

Her public allegations and legal battles highlighted the scale of Epstein’s network and exposed the systemic exploitation of underage girls and young women. Despite denials from those she accused, including Prince Andrew, Giuffre’s claims were backed by documents, photographs—including the widely circulated image of her with Prince Andrew—and witness accounts.

In 2022, Prince Andrew settled Giuffre’s lawsuit for an undisclosed amount, making a "substantial donation" to her survivors’ organisation, while maintaining his denial of her allegations. The settlement stated that Giuffre was "an established victim of abuse."

Throughout her life, Giuffre dedicated herself to advocacy, founding a charity called SOAR in 2015 to support survivors of trafficking. She is survived by her three children, who her family described as the "light of her life."

Attorney Sigrid McCawley, who represented Giuffre, said, "Her courage pushed 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."