Virginia Giuffre, who accused Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, has died by suicide aged 41, her family says. Tributes are flooding in for the Me Too movement figure.

Virginia Giuffre, the woman who bravely accused Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, has tragically died by suicide aged 41, according to a statement released by her family.

Known for her central role in exposing Epstein’s international sex trafficking ring, Giuffre had been living in Western Australia with her family. She reportedly passed away at her farm in the Neergabby area, where local police were called on Friday night and found her unresponsive. Authorities have confirmed that Major Crime detectives are investigating her death, but early indications suggest there are no suspicious circumstances.

Virginia Giuffre first came into the public eye after alleging that, as a teenager, she was trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell — and forced into encounters with Prince Andrew when she was just 17. The Duke of York strenuously denied the allegations, but in 2022, he reached a multi-million-pound out-of-court settlement with Giuffre without admitting any liability. The legal move made headlines around the world and further spotlighted the depth of Epstein's network of abuse.

Her allegations and relentless pursuit of justice made Giuffre a key figure in the global Me Too movement, inspiring countless other survivors to come forward. Her long-time spokesperson Dini von Mueffling paid tribute to her, calling her "one of the most extraordinary human beings" she had ever known and "a beacon to other survivors and victims."

In the weeks leading up to her death, Virginia had shared on Instagram that she had been involved in a serious car accident and suggested she had only “days to live.” Although police later disputed the severity of the crash, her family says the emotional and psychological scars from a lifetime of abuse had ultimately become too much to bear.

In their statement, her family described Virginia as “a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse,” and said the “toll of abuse... became unbearable.” They also highlighted her role as “the light that lifted so many survivors," showcasing the massive emotional impact Virginia had worldwide.

Virginia Giuffre’s tragic death reopens conversations around the long-term trauma survivors of sexual abuse endure — trauma that doesn’t simply disappear after court cases and media attention fade. It also renews scrutiny of the powerful figures linked to Epstein’s crimes, and how many survivors continue to battle privately even after public victories.

With Epstein dead, Maxwell serving a 20-year prison sentence, and Prince Andrew still largely shielded from full legal accountability, many are questioning: has justice really been served?

How should Virginia Giuffre’s legacy be remembered? Do you think there should be renewed investigations into Epstein’s wider network? Jump into the comments and let’s have this conversation.