Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Bloomberg
Topics: Australia, Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein, Mental Health, Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre, UK News, News
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Australia, Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein, Mental Health, Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre, UK News, News
Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual abuse, sex trafficking and suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Virginia Giuffre's family has paid tribute to the 'fierce warrior' who was 'the light that lifted so many survivors' of sexual abuse and sex trafficking.
Yesterday (April 25), Virginia Guiffre died by suicide at her home in the Neergabby area in Western Australia.
In 2019, Giuffre came forward and publicly accused Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell of sex trafficking and grooming, alleging she was 'forced to have sex' with Prince Andrew at Epstein's New York apartment.
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In 2022, Giuffre and the Royal reached a financial settlement of $16.3 million (£12 million) out of court, though he did not admit to any wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
Prince Andrew denies all claims against him. Epstein was convicted on sex trafficking charges and died by suicide while awaiting trial. Maxwell was found guilty on five counts of sex trafficking and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Guiffre's passing was announced by her family in a statement.
Her family shared a statement with NBC News which reads: "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."
The statement continued: "The light of her life were her children Christian, Noah, and Emily.
"It was when she held her newborn daughter in her arms that Virginia realised she had to fight back against those who had abused her and so many others.
"There are no words that can express the grave loss we feel today with the passing of our sweet Virginia.
"She was heroic and will always be remembered for her incredible courage and loving spirit.
"In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight. We know that she is with the angels."
West Australia police said they were called to a home on Friday night (April 25) where Giuffre was found unresponsive.
"Police and St John Western Australia attended and provided emergency first aid. Sadly, the 41-year-old woman was declared deceased at the scene," a police spokesperson said.
"The death is being investigated by Major Crime detectives; early indication is the death is not suspicious."
Giuffre's passing follows a post to Instagram, which saw her tell followers she had been in a car accident and had been given 'four days to live', after suffering 'kidney renal failure' from the crash.
Alongside the news, she posted a number of photos of her injuries, which showed extensive facial bruising.
However, local police had disputed the severity of the accident, describing it as a 'minor crash' with 'no reported injuries'.
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.