Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and suicide, which some readers may find distressing.
Virginia Giuffre’s father has expressed his belief that his daughter’s death was not a suicide, suggesting that ‘somebody got to her’.
On April 25, Virginia Giuffre was found deceased at her home in Neergabby, Western Australia. Her family confirmed her death through a public statement.
In 2019, Giuffre brought allegations against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, accusing them of sex trafficking and grooming her. She also claimed she was ‘forced to have sex’ with Prince Andrew at Epstein’s Manhattan residence, allegations which Prince Andrew has denied.
In 2022, Giuffre reached a financial settlement with Prince Andrew, amounting to $16.3 million (£12 million), without an admission of guilt from the Prince.
Epstein was convicted on charges related to sex trafficking and subsequently died by suicide while in custody. Maxwell was convicted on multiple counts of sex trafficking and received a 20-year prison sentence.
Following Giuffre’s death, her family released a statement indicating she ‘lost her life to suicide’ due to the ‘unbearable toll of abuse’.
However, Sky Roberts, Giuffre’s father, has publicly stated his disbelief in the suicide conclusion, suggesting that ‘somebody got to her’ during an interview with Piers Morgan on his YouTube show, Uncensored.
He described his daughter as ‘very strong’, expressing doubts about the suicide claim.
“And that’s why I don’t think she [died by] suicide,” he explained.
Karrie Louden, Giuffre’s attorney, has also questioned the circumstances of her death, noting ‘big question marks’ despite the family’s statement and the police report.
According to West Australia police, they responded to a call on the night of April 25, where Giuffre was found unresponsive at her home.
“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 further noted: “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 discussed in this article, please reach out to The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Support is also available online at online.rainn.org.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is accessible through Mental Health America by calling or texting 988, or visiting 988lifeline.org. You can also contact the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.