Virginia Giuffre, Fearless Advocate Who Exposed Jeffrey Epstein’s Abuse Network and Accused Prince Andrew of Sexual Assault, Dies by Suicide at Her Western Australia Home at Age 41
April 26, 2025 — Los Angeles, CA — Virginia Giuffre, whose bravery in accusing Prince Andrew and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein helped expose one of the world’s most infamous sex trafficking scandals, has died by suicide at the age of 41, her family announced on Friday.
Ms. Giuffre, a mother of three and tireless advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, was found unresponsive at her farm in Neergabby, Western Australia. Authorities from the West Australia Police confirmed that they responded to a call late Friday night and that an early investigation suggests her death is not being treated as suspicious.
In a heartfelt statement, Ms. Giuffre’s family described her as “a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse,” adding that “the toll of abuse, exploitation, and relentless public attention became unbearable.” They remembered her as “the light that lifted so many survivors” and a source of hope for countless victims around the world.
Born in the United States, Virginia Giuffre became a powerful public figure when she revealed she had been trafficked as a teenager by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend and accomplice. Giuffre alleged that she was introduced to Epstein by Maxwell in 2000 and subsequently endured years of abuse by Epstein and several of his associates.
Among the most explosive claims Giuffre made was her allegation that she had been trafficked to Prince Andrew when she was 17 years old — an allegation the prince has consistently and strenuously denied. Although Prince Andrew did not admit liability, he reached a multi-million dollar out-of-court settlement with Ms. Giuffre in 2022, expressing regret for his association with Epstein.
Following her decision to go public, Giuffre emerged as a leading voice within the #MeToo movement, advocating for justice and support for survivors of sexual violence. Her journey from a vulnerable teenager to an outspoken advocate captured the world’s attention and spurred renewed calls for accountability among the powerful.
Her longtime spokesperson, Dini von Mueffling, paid tribute to Giuffre on Friday, describing her as “one of the most extraordinary human beings I have ever had the honour to know” and “a beacon to other survivors and victims around the globe.”
Ms. Giuffre had been living with her husband, Robert, and their three children in North Perth, though recent reports suggested the couple had separated after 22 years of marriage. Just weeks ago, she posted about a car accident on social media, hinting at private struggles that her family said she never intended to publicize.
Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021 and is currently serving a 20-year sentence in the United States for her role in Epstein’s abuse ring.
Virginia Giuffre’s life was defined not just by the horrors she endured, but by the extraordinary courage she showed in speaking truth to power. Her voice helped transform the global conversation about sexual abuse, power, and justice — a legacy that will continue to echo even in her absence.
The world mourns a warrior who fought not just for her own justice, but for the justice of countless others who might otherwise never have been heard.
If you or someone you know is in distress or thinking about suicide, help is available. In the United States, you can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. In the United Kingdom, help can be found through the BBC Action Line. In Canada, youth and adults can call Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868.