Virginia Giuffre, Advocate for Survivors and Epstein Accuser, Dies by Suicide at 41
Virginia Giuffre, a key figure in the legal battles against Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew, has died by suicide at the age of 41. Her death was confirmed by her publicist, who said Giuffre passed away at her farm in Western Australia on Friday, April 25.
In a statement, her family shared:
“It is with utterly broken hearts that we announce that Virginia passed away last night at her home. She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking.”
Giuffre was widely recognized as a courageous voice for survivors, having publicly accused convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell of grooming and abusing her as a teenager. She also filed a civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew, Duke of York, alleging he sexually assaulted her when she was 17, after being trafficked to him by Epstein. The case was settled out of court in 2022, with Prince Andrew making no admission of wrongdoing.
Her family’s statement described her as a “fierce warrior” for survivors, saying:
“Despite all the adversity she faced, Virginia shone so bright. She will be missed beyond measure.”
Western Australia Police confirmed that officers were called to her residence, where she was found unresponsive. Authorities stated that the death is being investigated by Major Crime detectives but is not believed to be suspicious.
Giuffre had been hospitalized last month following an accident, sharing images of her injuries on Instagram and revealing she had been given “days to live.” Her publicist, Dini von Mueffling, described her as “deeply loving, wise, and funny,” adding:
“She adored her children and many animals. It was the privilege of a lifetime to represent her.”
Virginia is survived by her three children — Christian, Noah, and Emily — who her family called “the light of her life.” They also shared how motherhood empowered her fight against her abusers:
“It was when she held her newborn daughter in her arms that Virginia realized she had to fight back, not just for herself, but for so many others.”
Virginia Giuffre became one of the most prominent voices exposing Jeffrey Epstein’s decades of abuse. Her testimony played a pivotal role in bringing global attention to the scale of sex trafficking carried out by Epstein and his associates. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges.
Despite the challenges and trauma she endured, Giuffre dedicated her life to advocating for victims of sexual exploitation. Her legal team described her as “a frightened, vulnerable child with no one there to protect her,” and emphasized that “no person, whether President or Prince, is above the law.”
Virginia’s passing leaves behind a legacy of resilience, advocacy, and courage. Her light will continue to inspire survivors around the world.
If you are affected by any of the issues mentioned and need to speak with someone confidentially, you can call Samaritans for free at 116 123. Help is available 24/7.