Virginia Giuffre, a leading voice among survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse and an outspoken critic of sex trafficking, has died at the age of 41. Her family announced on Saturday that Giuffre died by suicide at her farm in Western Australia, where she had lived for several years.
“It is with shattered hearts that we share Virginia passed away last night at her home in Western Australia. A lifelong survivor of sexual abuse and trafficking, the burden finally became too great for her to bear,” the family’s statement said. They described her as a “fierce warrior” against sexual exploitation and “a beacon of hope for countless survivors,” adding, “Despite everything she endured, her light never dimmed. She will be missed beyond words.”
Giuffre is survived by her three children — Christian, Noah, and Emily — who her family said were the “center of her universe.” They recalled that the birth of her daughter gave her the strength to fight back against her abusers.
“There are no words to capture the profound grief we feel today,” the family said. “Virginia was a hero who will always be remembered for her courage and compassionate spirit.”
Sigrid McCawley, Giuffre’s attorney, remembered her as more than just a client. “She was a dear friend and an extraordinary advocate for others,” McCawley said. “Her bravery inspired me to fight harder every day. The world lost a beautiful soul today.”
Giuffre’s representative, Dini von Mueffling, also paid tribute: “Virginia was one of the most remarkable individuals I have ever met — full of wisdom, humor, and deep love. She was a light for other survivors and an incredible mother. I will miss her beyond words.”
Josh Schiffer, a lawyer for another Epstein survivor, highlighted Giuffre’s critical role in exposing Epstein’s crimes. “The case against Epstein would not have been possible without Virginia’s courage and early cooperation,” he said. “Her loss should remind us of the ongoing crisis of sex trafficking around the world.”
Western Australia Police did not publicly identify Giuffre but confirmed that emergency services responded to reports of an unresponsive 41-year-old woman in Neergabby, roughly 75 km north of Perth, on Friday evening. Despite emergency treatment, she was pronounced dead. Authorities stated the death will be investigated but is not considered suspicious.
Earlier this month, Giuffre had posted on social media that she was living with serious health fears following a collision with a school bus. While police confirmed her involvement in a minor crash on March 24, no serious injuries were reported. She later sought medical attention at a hospital on April 1.
Born in the United States, Giuffre’s connection to Epstein began in 2000 while she was working at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. There, she met Ghislaine Maxwell, who recruited her to work for Epstein as a “massage therapist” — a role that led to years of abuse. Giuffre later described being “passed around like a platter of fruit” to Epstein’s wealthy and powerful friends.
In a 2009 civil suit filed under the pseudonym “Jane Doe 102,” Giuffre accused Epstein and his associates, including royalty, of sexual exploitation. That case was settled privately.
In 2021, Giuffre filed a lawsuit in U.S. federal court against Prince Andrew, alleging he sexually abused her when she was 17 — allegations Andrew has consistently denied. The case was settled out of court in 2022 for an undisclosed amount.
Meanwhile, Maxwell was convicted in 2022 and sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking.
Epstein, arrested in 2019 on sex trafficking charges, died by suicide in jail before his trial.
