Topics: Virginia Giuffre, US News, Jeffrey Epstein, Crime, True crime, Parenting
Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Virginia Giuffre's father has opened up about why he thinks 'somebody got to her' rather than her having died by suicide.
On April 25, Virginia Guiffre died by suicide at her home in the Neergabby area in Western Australia, her passing confirmed in a statement shared by her relatives.
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 - claims Prince Andrew denies.
Advert
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.
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 which said she 'lost her life to suicide' after the 'toll of abuse' became 'unbearable' for her to 'handle'.
However, her father, Sky Roberts, has since come forward stating he doesn't believe his daughter took her own life, stating he believes 'somebody got to her' during an interview with Piers Morgan on his YouTube show, Uncensored.
The father argued he thinks of his daughter as being 'very strong'.
"And that's why I don't think she [died by] suicide," he added.
Karrie Louden, Giuffre's lawyer, has echoed a similar sentiment, arguing there are 'big question marks' over her passing, despite the statement issued by her relatives alongside the police report.
West Australia police said they were called to a home on the night of 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 statement continued: "The death is being investigated by Major Crime detectives; early indication is the death is not suspicious."
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.
