Virginia Giuffre, advocate and Epstein accuser, dies by suicide at 41

Virginia Giuffre, known for accusing Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, has died by suicide at the age of 41, her family has announced.

Giuffre, a vocal figure in the global fight against sex trafficking and abuse, died on Thursday at her farm in Western Australia.

According to a family statement released on Friday, "she lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking."

The family described her as "a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse" and said the "toll of abuse became unbearable."

Western Australia Police confirmed they responded to a call on Friday night in the Neergabby area, where Giuffre was found unresponsive.

Authorities said Major Crime detectives are investigating, but "early indication is the death is not suspicious."

Born in the US, Giuffre had been living in North Perth with her children and husband, Robert, although recent reports indicated the couple had separated after 22 years of marriage.

Giuffre rose to international prominence after she publicly accused convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, of abusing her when she was a teenager. She also alleged that they trafficked her to Prince Andrew when she was 17.

Prince Andrew has strenuously denied all accusations but agreed to an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022.

The settlement included a statement where the Duke of York expressed regret for his association with Epstein but did not admit to any wrongdoing.

In her earlier interviews, Giuffre said she first met Maxwell in 2000. She claimed Maxwell later introduced her to Epstein, who abused her over a period of years.

Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges.

He had previously been convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

Maxwell was later sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in the abuse.

Just weeks before her death, Giuffre posted on Instagram about being involved in a serious car accident.

Her family said she did not intend to share that publicly, while local authorities later questioned the severity of the incident.

Despite personal struggles, Giuffre was widely recognised for giving voice to abuse survivors. Her family remembered her as "the light that lifted so many survivors."