Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and suicide which some readers may find distressing.
The family of Virginia Giuffre has honored her as a ‘fierce warrior’ who was ‘the light that lifted so many survivors’ of sexual abuse and sex trafficking.
Virginia Giuffre tragically died by suicide at her home in Neergabby, Western Australia, on April 25.
In 2019, Giuffre came forward with allegations against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, claiming they had trafficked and groomed her for sex, and accused Prince Andrew of forcing her to have sex at Epstein’s New York apartment.
In 2022, Giuffre reached a financial settlement with Prince Andrew for $16.3 million (£12 million) out of court. The settlement did not include any admission of wrongdoing by the Royal.
Prince Andrew has consistently denied all allegations. Epstein, who was convicted on sex trafficking charges, died by suicide while awaiting trial. Maxwell was found guilty on five counts related to sex trafficking and received a sentence of 20 years in prison.
Giuffre’s family made the announcement of her death through a statement.
They shared the statement with NBC News: “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 further noted: “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 realized 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.”
According to West Australia police, they responded to a call at a residence on Friday night (April 25) where Giuffre was discovered 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 death occurred shortly after she posted on Instagram, mentioning a car accident and that she had ‘four days to live,’ resulting from ‘kidney renal failure’ due to the crash.
Alongside her message, she shared photos displaying her injuries, with significant facial bruising evident.
However, local police downplayed the severity of the crash, referring to it as a ‘minor crash’ with ‘no reported injuries’.
If you have been affected by any of the topics discussed in this article, support is available through The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), which is accessible 24/7. Alternatively, you can chat online via online.rainn.org
For those struggling or in a mental health crisis, assistance is available through Mental Health America. You can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. The Crisis Text Line is also available by texting MHA to 741741.