Sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre‘s final posts on social media included a link to a sad break up song and a post in which she lamented the “worst start to a new year” before her death.
The 41-year-old was found dead at her farm in Neergabby, Western Australia, last night as her family confirmed she took her own life. Ms Giuffre was one of the most outspoken accusers of convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell and claimed they trafficked her when she was 17. She alleged they trafficked her to the Duke of York when she was 17, which Prince Andrew has strenuously denied.
Her final posts on her social media account included a link to Gotye’s song Somebody That I Used To Know earlier this month, as well as black screen without a caption. Her last post from three weeks ago showed her injured in hospital after a car crash in which she claimed she had only four days to live.
The post read: “This year has been the worst start to a new year, but I won’t bore anyone with the details but I think it important to note that when a school bus driver comes at you driving 110km as we were slowing for a turn that no matter what your car is made of it might as well be a tin can.
“I’ve gone into kidney renal failure, they’ve given me four days to live, transferring me to a specialist hospital in urology. I’m ready to go, just not until I see my babies one last time, but you know what they say about wishes.” In the wake of the crash Western Australian Police described the crash as minor, with no major injuries reported.
Born in Sacramento, California, Ms Giuffre was one of the earliest voices calling for criminal charges against Epstein and his enablers. The campaigner also provided critical information to law enforcement, which contributed to the investigation into and later the conviction of Maxwell.
Earlier the family said in a statement: “It is with utterly broken hearts we announce Virginia passed away last night at her farm in Western Australia. She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking.
“Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She was the light that lifted so many survivors. In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight.”
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email ** jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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