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Virginia Giuffre: Fears of Smear Campaign Preceded Death
Virginia Giuffre, the woman who accused Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, harbored fears that detractors aimed to tarnish her image in the months leading up to her death, according to reports. Her passing, ruled as a suicide, occurred amidst escalating personal difficulties.
Mounting Troubles and Concerns
A close associate revealed that “being discredited was one of the many things distressing her in recent months.” The pressures from a bitter divorce and separation from her three children, who remained in their father’s custody, ultimately appeared to overwhelm her.
Giuffre was discovered deceased at her farm near Perth, Australia, on Friday night.
Family’s Grief and Call for Justice
Her sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, expressed the family’s sorrow:
- “She wished for all survivors to get justice. That is who she was.”
- “We lost our sister. Her children lost their mother and her mother lost her daughter.”
- “She was one of the most beautiful souls you would ever have the chance to meet. But I think sometimes, that load and that weight becomes too much to carry.”
Mental State Prior to Death
Prior to her death, family members voiced concerns regarding her mental well-being. Her father, Sky Roberts, described his daughter as “very depressed” and “in really bad shape.”
Friends noted that Ms. Giuffre, 41, was “deeply upset” by mockery surrounding a hospital bed photo she posted the previous month.
Controversy Over Social Media Post
Giuffre had claimed involvement in a car accident, stating it left her with only four days to live. However, the incident was reportedly a minor collision. A representative for Ms. Giuffre stated that she had “made a mistake” and did not intend to make the post public. The incident sparked claims undermining her credibility, with some supporters of Prince Andrew labeling her a “fantasist.”
Allegations Against Prince Andrew
Ms. Giuffre alleged that the Duke of York sexually assaulted her when she was 17 years old, after being trafficked to London. These accusations led to him “stepping back” from public life in 2019. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Civil Lawsuit and Settlement
- Giuffre initiated a civil lawsuit, claiming she was coerced into having sex with him.
- In 2022, the Duke reached an out-of-court settlement, estimated between £3 million and £12 million, although he continued to deny the allegations.
Prince Andrew’s Response
Sources close to Prince Andrew indicated that he intends to keep his thoughts on Giuffre’s death private. He reportedly resolved to move past the Epstein scandal, aware that public statements could be detrimental given the criticism he received following a 2019 television interview.
One source commented, “What can he say now? [Ms Giuffre] is a mother of three children. It’s a tragedy.”
Family’s Tribute
Ms. Giuffre’s family described her as “a fierce warrior” and “the light that lifted so many survivors.” In a statement, they said that “in the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle.”
Legal Perspectives
Her lawyer, David Boies, echoed similar sentiments:
“Her courage, caring, and strength were an inspiration. She was one of the strongest people I have ever known, but the physical abuse she suffered as a child at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein, and the verbal abuse she continued to suffer at the hands of his collaborators trying to salvage their reputations by attacking hers, finally wore her down. God bless you, Virginia. And God damn your abusers.”
Spencer Kuvin, who represented various Epstein victims, added:
“Abuse victims never truly recover… Despite her remarkable strength and resilience, [Ms Giuffre] fought valiantly against her wealthy and powerful abusers. It is both saddening and not surprising that she chose to end her life.”
Personal Struggles
According to sources, “Virginia’s life imploded in recent months. Her marriage broke down, and she was in severe physical and mental pain. She had been taking prescription pain pills since she was with Epstein. She has not seen her kids since her husband filed a restraining order earlier this year.”
“She was due in court as she broke that order. She was concerned about all the things being said about her. But her main worry was not being able to see her children. That was what broke her,” the source continued.
Circumstances of Death
Emergency services responded to a report of an unresponsive woman at a home in Neergabby, approximately 12 miles north of Perth, around 9:50 p.m. local time on Friday. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
“She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking,” her family’s statement confirmed.
A source stated that Ms. Giuffre felt “ashamed” that she could bring down Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, but was unable to find the strength to leave her unhappy marriage.
Her father, Sky Roberts, told the Daily Mail before her death: “There’s everything else she’s been going through with the divorce and not being able to see her kids. I’m hoping she can hang on. She’s only 41. She’s got a lot of life to live.”
Two weeks before, Ms. Giuffre posted several photographs of her three “beautiful babies,” writing: “I miss them so very much. I have been through hell and back in my 41 years but this is incredibly hurting me worse than anything else. Hurt me, abuse me but don’t take my babies. My heart is shattered and every day that passes my sadness only deepens.”