Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/Bloomberg
Topics: Virginia Giuffre, Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew, Donald Trump, Mental Health, Sex Trafficking
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Virginia Giuffre, Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew, Donald Trump, Mental Health, Sex Trafficking
The president has addressed the death of Virgina Giuffre who died by suicide on Friday (April 25).
It was announced over the weekend that Giuffre had died at the age of 41. She is survived by her three children, Christian, Noah, and Emily.
Giuffre made headlines in recent years after wavering her anonymity in a high profile case where she accused Prince Andrew of sexually abusing her three times in 2001 when she was 17 years old. Prince Andrew has always denied her claims but paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault Giuffre filed against him.
She also said that Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficked her and, in the wake of her death, is being described as a 'fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking'.
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Her family announced the news of her passing on Saturday. In a heartbreaking statement, they said: "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.
"Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She was the light that lifted so many survivors.
"In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight."
Donald Trump has since addressed the sad news of her untimely death.
Speaking to reporters on the tarmac at a New Jersey Airport, Trump said news of Giuffre’s death was 'a very sad situation, the whole thing'.
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EVERYTHING WE KNOW SO FAR AFTER VIRGINIA GIUFFRE DIES AGED 41
“That whole situation is very sad – her and others,” he said. “Certainly, that’s a horrible thing.”
On Monday, a Western Australia Police spokeswoman confirmed Giuffre’s death was still under investigation by major crime detectives, but did not appear to be suspicious.
She had recently separated from her husband, Robert, and was due to face court over allegations she had breached a family violence restraining order.
Last month, she also made headlines after being taken to hospital following a traffic collision.
The late 41-year-old had claimed at the time that she had just 'days to live', but Australian police claimed the incident was 'minor'.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.