Virginia Giuffre, a prominent survivor and accuser in the Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew abuse cases, has died by suicide at the age of 41, her family confirmed on Friday.

Giuffre, who played a central role in exposing the international sex trafficking network linked to Epstein and his associates, was found unresponsive at her farm in Neergabby, Western Australia. Police confirmed they were called to the residence on Friday night, with early indications suggesting the death was not suspicious.

Born in the United States, Giuffre rose to global prominence after alleging she was trafficked by Epstein and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell as a teenager. Among her claims was that she had been forced to have sex with Prince Andrew, Duke of York, when she was 17 – an allegation the prince has consistently and strenuously denied.

Her family, in a deeply emotional statement, said Giuffre had been “a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking,” and that the toll of years of trauma had finally become too heavy to bear.

“She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking,” the statement read. “She was the light that lifted so many survivors. The world has lost a tireless advocate, and our family has lost a beloved daughter, sister, and mother.”

Giuffre had been living in the Perth suburb of North Perth with her husband Robert and their three children, though reports suggest the couple had separated recently after 22 years of marriage.

Just weeks before her death, Giuffre posted on social media about a serious car accident. Her family later revealed she had not intended to share that information publicly, while local authorities downplayed the severity of the crash.

Pivotal voice in global reckoning

Giuffre became one of the most recognised figures in the Me Too movement and was instrumental in bringing global attention to the alleged complicity of high-profile figures in Epstein’s abuse network. She provided information to investigators in the US and internationally, which contributed to the conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell in 2021. Maxwell was later sentenced to 20 years in prison.

In 2021, Giuffre filed a civil suit against Prince Andrew, alleging that she had been sexually abused by him as part of Epstein’s trafficking operation. The case was settled out of court in 2022, with the prince agreeing to a financial settlement but not admitting any wrongdoing.

Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was officially ruled a suicide. Maxwell, who was arrested in 2020, was convicted of child sex trafficking and other charges in 2021.

Giuffre also testified against French modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, another alleged member of Epstein’s network. Brunel later died in custody under circumstances French authorities described as suicide.

Early trauma, lifelong fight

Raised in Florida, Giuffre endured a troubled childhood marked by abuse and instability. She said she was first sexually assaulted by a family friend, leading to a period of homelessness and vulnerability that Epstein and Maxwell allegedly exploited.

She claimed she met Maxwell at the age of 16 while working at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump’s Florida resort, and was soon introduced to Epstein. Giuffre said she was groomed and sexually abused over a period of years by Epstein and several of his wealthy acquaintances.

Despite her trauma, she emerged as a vocal advocate for survivors of abuse, founding advocacy organisations and participating in numerous investigations. Her courage encouraged other survivors to come forward, and she remained an outspoken figure even as she faced intense media scrutiny.

Tributes pour in

Tributes from legal advocates, survivors, and public figures poured in following the news of her death.

“She was the first to stand up and say, ‘This happened to me, and it must stop,’” one survivor said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Her strength gave us the strength to find our voices.”

US prosecutors described her as “a key witness who helped shed light on one of the most disturbing sex trafficking operations in recent history.”

Her death has sparked renewed discussions about the long-term mental health toll on survivors of sexual abuse, particularly those thrust into the international spotlight.

West Australia Police have referred the matter to the state coroner. A full report is expected in due course.