Virginia Giuffre, who once stood at the centre of one of the most explosive scandals in recent history, sought peace in a remote corner of Australia to escape the chaos that had defined much of her early life.
Ms Giuffre, 41, died from suicide in a devastating update from her family. Ms Giuffre was one of the most outspoken accusers of convicted sex offenders Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, his former girlfriend. She alleged they trafficked her to the Duke of York when she was 17, which Prince Andrew has strenuously denied.
Ms Giuffre left the United States behind in search of a new beginning after gruelling court proceedings. Born Virginia Roberts in Sacramento, California, in 1983, Giuffre’s adolescence was marked by unimaginable trauma after claiming to be trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein.
At 19, she managed a narrow escape when Epstein bought her a ticket to Thailand, intending to further train her in massage therapy. It was there that she met Robert Giuffre, an Australian martial arts expert.
Just 10 days later, they married – a whirlwind decision that would lead Virginia to a life oceans away from her past. In 2002, the young couple settled in Cairns, in far north Queensland, building a quiet life together and raising three children.
But peace remained elusive for Ms Giuffre. Even as she tried to forge a new life, her past continued to ripple into her present.
The family’s move to Perth in 2020 – into a $1.9 million (£915,000) mansion in the coastal suburb of Ocean Reef – coincided with legal action against Prince Andrew, alleging he had sexually abused her when she was 17. He has vehemently denied all her claims.
She filed the case in New York in August 2021, sparking international headlines. Though the case was eventually settled out of court in 2023 for a sum rumoured to be in the multimillions, the public scrutiny was relentless.
As the years wore on, the toll became evident. By early 2025, Virginia and Robert had reportedly separated after more than two decades of marriage.
Robert and their three children remained at their Perth home, while Virginia retreated to the tiny farming town of Neergabby, 80 kilometres north of Perth.
With a population of just 268, Neergabby offered the anonymity and tranquillity she had long sought—a stark contrast to the global spotlight she had endured.
Virginia rented a 40-acre farmhouse, a modest yet beautiful refuge where she lived alone. Friends described her as someone craving space to heal, away from the gaze of the world.
In the weeks leading up to her death, Ms Giuffre posted a series of cryptic and troubled messages on social media, hinting at inner battles few could fully comprehend. On Friday, her family confirmed she had died by suicide at her Neergabby farmhouse.
Relatives said in a statement on Friday that she had been a “fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse”, and that the “toll of abuse… became unbearable”.
“She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking,” they said.
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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