Virginia Giuffre, Accuser in Epstein-Prince Andrew Scandal, Found Dead by Suicide at 41

According to a statement from her family to NBC News, Giuffre took her own life.

Virginia Giuffre , the woman who has leveled accusations against the late convicted sexual predator Jeffery Epstein and Prince Andrew due to sexual abuse, has passed away by suicide, as stated by her family in their announcement NBC News .

As reported by the source close to her family, Giuffre passed away in Neergabby, Australia, where she had been residing for the last few years.

We share this news with profoundly shattered hearts: Virginia died yesterday evening at her property in Western Australia," read the family’s statement. "She succumbed to suicide following a lifetime marred by 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," the statement continued. “In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight."

Giuffre has not shied away from discussing the abuse she endured previously. Back in 2000, at the age of 16, Giuffre was approached for recruitment by Ghislaine Maxwell to work for Epstein.

Giuffre has claimed that the duo coerced her into participating in sexual activities with Epstein and other individuals as part of an intricate network, from which she managed to flee in 2002. Epstein died by suicide In August 2019, while being held at a New York City detention center waiting for her trial on accusations of child sex trafficking.

Giuffre has claimed that Epstein and Maxwell sold her to wealthy and influential men, such as Prince Andrew, who has consistently refuted any allegations against him. (Notably, Maxwell is presently incarcerated for two decades following her conviction for child sex trafficking related to Epstein in 2021; however, this was unrelated to Prince Andrew.)

Giuffre spoke out on X , previously known as Twitter, after the Maxwell verdict, stated, "I longed for justice for years, and today the jury finally provided it. This moment will stay etched in my memory forever. Given the trauma inflicted upon me by Maxwell’s abuses, my thoughts go out to all the other victims—many young women and girls—who endured her torment and had their lives shattered."

She did not participate in the trial against Maxwell.

Related: Virginia Giuffre says 'More People Need Accountability' Following Ghislaine Maxwell's Conviction

Giuffre went on, "I am hopeful that this day marks not an ending but merely another phase towards achieving justice. Maxwell didn’t operate single-handedly; others also bear responsibility. I believe these individuals will face consequences as well."

In 2021, Giuffre asserted in a legal action initiated against Prince Andrew In New York, she was coerced into having sexual encounters with him three times between 1999 and 2002—in London, New York, and on a privately-owned Caribbean island belonging to Epstein.

In a previous statement shared with The News_pulse Giuffre stated, "Prince Andrew must answer for his actions against me. It’s important to recognize that those who hold power and wealth cannot evade accountability for their deeds. My wish is for other survivors to realize they can break free from silence and dread by coming forward and striving for justice."

The two reached an out-of-court settlement In February 2022, the sum was not revealed.

Related: Prince Andrew Agrees to Settlement in Sexual Abuse Case With Accuser Virginia Giuffre

Giuffre stated in 2019 Panorama interview When she arrived in London with Epstein in 2001, the young girl met Prince Andrew. Alongside Epstein and Maxwell, she was taken to Tramp nightclub, where according to her account, the prince procured a beverage for her and invited her to dance in a private area.

Prince Andrew is the ugliest dancer I've ever encountered. It was truly awful; he was drenched in sweat, as if rain was pouring off of him everywhere. I found it utterly repulsive, yet I understood that I needed to maintain his satisfaction since both Jeffrey and Ghislaine demanded such behavior from me.

Related: Prince Andrew’s accuser Virginia Guiffre speaks out: ‘This is a tale of abuse’

Prince Andrew spoke up for himself in an interview regarding the allegations. 2019 BBC interview In which he discussed his connection to Epstein and Giuffre's claims, "I do not recall ever having met this woman; absolutely not at all. This simply did not occur."

He similarly dismissed Giuffre’s claims by stating that He wouldn't have known how to find the bar for getting her a drink, and he had a condition that prevented him from sweating. .

The prince claimed that a picture showing him with his arm around Giuffre’s waist was altered. However, Giuffre informed the BBC that the image is authentic and she provided the original version to the FBI back in 2011.

In the wake of the interview's backlash, Prince Andrew stated that he would be stepping down from his royal duties. withdrawing from public responsibilities .

Giuffre has since founded Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR), a nonprofit group that offers assistance to those who have survived sexual assault.

If you or anyone you know is contemplating suicide, reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988, send "STRENGTH" via text to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, or visit their website. 988lifeline.org .

If you or anyone you know has experienced sexual assault, please reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or visit their website. rainn.org .

Read the initial article on The News Pulse