VIRGINIA Giuffre’s brother has paid tribute to his sister with a sweet photograph after her tragic death at the age of 41.
The mum-of-three, who was sex trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and accused Prince Andrew of sexually abusing her when she was 17, died by suicide at her home in Western Australia.
GettyVirginia Roberts Giuffre, pictured with a photo of herself as a teen, has died by suicide[/caption]
PAVirginia’s family said the toll of her abuse became ‘unbearable’[/caption]
FacebookVirginia’s brother Danny Wilson (right) paid tribute to his sister with a photo of the pair and another man[/caption]
Her family said the toll of her abuse was “so heavy” it became “unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight”.
On Saturday, Virginia’s brother Danny Wilson paid tribute to his sister on Facebook with a photo of the pair and another man.
Virginia is seen smiling at the camera with her arm around her brother.
The other man is believed to be her older brother Sky.
Virginia’s family said: “It is with utterly broken hearts that we announce that 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.”
They added: “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 that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight.”
Police confirmed emergency services were called to reports of an unresponsive woman at a property in the Perth suburb of Neergabby on Friday night.
Paying tribute, Virginia’s long-time publicist Dini von Mueffling said her client was “one of the most extraordinary human beings I have ever had the honour to know”.
“Deeply loving, wise, and funny, she was a beacon to other survivors and victims,” she added.
“It was the privilege of a lifetime to represent her.”
Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for Virginia, said in a statement: “Her courage pushed me to fight harder, and her strength was awe-inspiring.
“The world has lost an amazing human being today. Rest in peace, my sweet angel.”
It comes just weeks after Virginia, who was believed to have separated from her husband, was treated in an Australian hospital following a bus crash.
PAVirginia was one of the most outspoken accusers of Jeffrey Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell[/caption]
Police confirmed emergency services received reports of an unresponsive woman at a property in the Perth suburb of Neergabby on Friday night
She was charged with breaching a family violence restraining order in Ocean Reef, near Perth, on February 2, Western Australia Courts said.
Virginia’s case was first heard in Joondalup Magistrates’ Court in northern Perth on March 14, where she did not enter a plea.
The matter was adjourned to June 11 for a plea hearing, according to Western Australia Courts.
American-born Virginia lived in Australia for years, becoming an advocate for sex trafficking survivors after emerging as a central figure in the prolonged downfall of disgraced paedophile financier Epstein.
The mum, who leaves behind three children, sued Prince Andrew in 2021, claiming she was trafficked and forced to have sex with the Duke on three occasions when she was a teen.
It was the first time she had brought action against him after going public with the allegations in 2011.
She claimed she was trafficked and forced to have sex with the Andrew for the first time at Maxwell’s house in London after a night out at the club Tramp.
Virginia also claimed she was forced to have sex with the Duke on at least two further occasions by Maxwell and Epstein.
Her legal team argued she was a “frightened, vulnerable child with no one there to protect her” when she was allegedly abused by Andrew, saying “no person, whether President or Prince, is above the law“.
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123