A BITTER legal battle looms over Prince Andrew’s £12million pay-off to his tragic sex abuse accuser in the wake of her sudden death.
The Royal outcast, 65, reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre in 2022 after she claimed she was trafficked to have sex with him on three occasions when she was just 17.
Getty
Virginia Roberts Giuffre tragically died at the age of 41[/caption]
AFP
A young Virginia pictured with Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell[/caption]
PA
Virginia sued the Duke of York in 2021, claiming she was trafficked and forced to have sex with him on three occasions[/caption]
The controversial bridging loan – authorised by King Charles – is now set to be at the centre of a major court fight between her estranged husband and her grief-stricken family in the US.
Sources said Robert Giuffre, who has custody of their three young children, remains her next of kin despite the couple splitting after 22 years of marriage.
But Ms Giuffre’s siblings are desperate to protect her legacy in the ongoing fight against global sex abuse.
A source said: “Virginia was in the process of divorcing Robert when she died, but it was far from finalised.
“That means he is entitled to her entire estate as the legal next of kin.
“Her family are determined to make sure that never happens and will contest any claim he makes.”
They added: “It’s tragic – even in death she can’t escape Prince Andrew.”
Despite making plans for the future she was due to appear in court next month after Robert accused her of breaching a restraining order banning her from contacting him or their three children.
She had also moved out of the family’s £900,000 beachside mansion in Perth.
Her lawyer, Karrie Louden, told The Sun: “They hadn’t actually divorced, so I guess Robert would be her next of kin.
“We don’t even know if there’s a will. This is one of many, many, many questions.
“If we had these answers, it would make things a lot easier for everybody, but we just don’t.”
It is likely her estate will be made the subject of probate Down Under with interested parties entitled to claim a share of her estate.
Instagram/virginiarobertsrising11
Virginia pictured with her estranged husband Robert[/caption]
Robert currently has custody of their three children
Another source said: “No one expected this so there’s a huge amount of work taking place to sort out her affairs but it’s clear – will or no will – it’s going to head to the courts.”
Ms Giuffre alleged she was trafficked to have sex with the Duke of York in London, New York and his billionaire pal Jeffrey Epstein‘s Caribbean lair Little St James, dubbed “paedo island”.
The Prince has always denied the allegations and claimed to have never met Virginia.
However, a photograph appearing to show them together in a London townhouse – his arm around her bare midriff – was included in her lawsuit against him.
The Duke of York has vehemently denied the accusations – despite paying her off – and pledged to “fight against the evils of sex trafficking”.
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.
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:
The company doesn’t keep logs, so couldn’t turn over data:
Windscribe, a globally used privacy-first VPN service, announced today that its founder, Yegor Sak, has been fully acquitted by a court in Athens, Greece, following a two-year legal battle in which Sak was personally charged in connection with an alleged internet offence by an unknown user of the service.
The case centred around a Windscribe-owned server in Finland that was allegedly used to breach a system in Greece. Greek authorities, in cooperation with INTERPOL, traced the IP address to Windscribe’s infrastructure and, unlike standard international procedures, proceeded to initiate criminal proceedings against Sak himself, rather than pursuing information through standard corporate channels…
SHE was the brave sexual abuse survivor who gave a voice to the voiceless, but now the tragic death of Virginia Giuffre has opened up a Pandora’s Box of unanswered questions.
In a heartbreaking statement, they said: “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.”
She is survived by her three children, Christian, Noah, and Emily — described as the “light of her life.”
Virginia had worked at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida as a teenage spa attendant.
She said she was recruited there by Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell to become a masseuse, later forced into sexual servitude.
Epstein took his own life in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges involving dozens of teenage girls.
Western AustraliaPolice have confirmed Virginia’s death is not being treated as suspicious.
A spokesperson said: “About 9.50pm Friday 25 April, emergency services received a report a woman had been located unresponsive at a residence in Neergabby.
“Police and St John WA attended and provided emergency first aid.
“Sadly, the 41-year-old woman was declared deceased at the scene.
“The death is being investigated by Major Crime detectives; early indication is the death is not suspicious.”
The Perth Coroner’s office will now formally investigate the circumstances.
In the weeks before her death, Virginia had posted alarming photos from a hospital bed showing severe bruising and claimed she had “four days to live” due to kidney failure.
Virginia sued Prince Andrew in 2021, claiming she was trafficked and forced to have sex with the Duke on three occasions[/caption]
Getty
Victims of Jeffrey Epstein, from left, Sarah Ransome, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, and Marijke Chartouni[/caption]
AFP
Disgraced billionaire Jeffrey Epstein died in a New York prison cell in 2019[/caption]
Virginia Giuffre became known as one of the most outspoken Epstein survivors, saying she was trafficked around the world for sex and accusing Prince Andrew of abusing her when she was 17.
The Duke has denied the claims but paid millions to settle a civil lawsuit without admitting wrongdoing.
Karrie Louden, who was among the first at the house after Virginia’s body was found, told The Sun: “We’ve got big question marks over it.
“There’s suicide and then there’s misadventure.
“I didn’t see her in the room. I wasn’t in there. The family said what the family has said but I’m not going to speculate whether it was suicide or accidental.
“You’ll all be aware that she’s been in hospital. She’s been on medications.
“Has she just taken too many painkillers? Was she intentionally doing it? I just, you know…
“I don’t even know what the cause of death was.”
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.
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:
Virginia Roberts Giuffre, pictured with a photo of herself as a teen, has died at the age of 41Getty Images – GettyVirginia sued Prince Andrew in 2021, claiming she was trafficked and forced to have sex with the Duke on three occasionsPolice confirmed emergency services received reports of an unresponsive woman at a property in the Perth suburb of Neergabby on Friday nightGetty – ContributorThe Sun
Lawyer Karrie Louden has represented Virginia since the New Year[/caption]
A team of major crime cops raced to the scene and spent between 10 and 12 hours removing evidence at the property.
Karrie, who was among the first at the house after Virginia’s body was found, told The Sun Online: “We’ve got big question marks over it.
“There’s suicide and then there’s misadventure.
“I didn’t see her in the room. I wasn’t in there. The family said what the family has said but I’m not going to speculate whether it was suicide or accidental.
“You’ll all be aware that she’s been in hospital. She’s been on medications.
“Has she just taken too many painkillers? Was she intentionally doing it? I just, you know…
“I don’t even know what the cause of death was.”
Karrie, who has represented Virginia since the New Year, added: “She was in a lot of pain but she was looking forward to things in the future.
“She wanted to renovate this house and all sorts of things like that. There were plans that she had for the future.”
“I’d spoken to her in the days before.
“I was meant to be up here today, right now, having a meeting with her so we could sort out some of her legal affairs.
“I was here this time last week and things were positive.
“I’m a defence lawyer, so I don’t like to speculate about things. I like beyond reasonable doubt.
“Until the evidence is in, we’re just, you know, drawing conclusions. Officially, the police told me nothing.
“They didn’t even confirm that she was dead. That’s how little information the police have provided to me.
“This has been a complete shock to all of us.
“If any of us had thought she’s going to commit suicide, of course we would have taken more steps, put her into a clinic or got her some more help.
“When I got the phone call, I was like, are you joking. Because there was no signs that that was something she was considering?”
It could now take up to two years before a coroner’s report is filed on her death.
A spokeswoman for Perth coroner said: “I can confirm Ms Giuffre’s death has been reported to the Coroner’s Court.
“The circumstances of Ms Giuffre’s death will be investigated by the coroner.
“The Court will inform the senior next of kin of those investigations, which are not made public.”
Ms Louden said there were “no suspicious circumstances, as far as we are aware” but added: “Given the recent activities, it’s very likely that we will never know.
“The police were just very, very vague.
PA
Virginia’s family said the toll of her abuse became ‘unbearable’[/caption]
Instagram
Virginia pictured with her children[/caption]
Facebook
Virginia’s brother Danny Wilson (right) paid tribute to his sister with a photo of the pair and another man[/caption]
“I know that she’s gone but how that happened, I don’t know.
“I’m not sure we’ll ever know. I mean, sometimes the coroner might say it was suicide, the coroner might say it was misadventure, the coroner might say inconclusive.”
Virginia’s body has since been removed from the farm house in Neergabby, Western Australia.
Toxicology tests are expected to be carried out in the coming days.
Up to six police officers – including four from the major crimes unit – poured over the scene after the alarm was raised on Friday.
But cops in Western Australia have refused to give any details on the circumstances.
Ms Louden said: “I’m not aware of a suicide note. I’m not saying there was or wasn’t a note, but I’m not aware of any note.
“I haven’t been told about one, so I can’t say if there was or not.
“The police came in and did all their stuff, and they would have taken all the evidence.”
If any of us had thought she’s going to commit suicide, of course we would have taken more steps, put her into a clinic or got her some more help.
Ms Louden said she was with Virginia in hospital when doctors broke the news to her that she only had days to live.
She insisted: “I was a witness to the conversation which was along the lines of, ‘you won’t see the end of the week’.
“And so she has seen the end of the week as X number of days away, and extrapolated from that.
Who was Virginia Giuffre?
VIRGINIA Roberts – later Virginia Giuffre, 41, was an American-Australian campaigner and a prominent victim of the sex trafficking ring of Jeffrey Epstein.
She made claims against Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, as well as Brit socialite Ghislaine Maxwell – Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-lover.
Giuffre alleged in court documents that she was procured by Maxwell, 63, the daughter of disgraced tycoon Robert Maxwell, as a teenage “sex slave” for Epstein.
She released a manuscript just hours before Epstein’s death, which added to more than 2,000 documents of a lawsuit pending against the former financier and his pals.
The legal documents were released in a defamation case involving Giuffre, who has claimed in court documents that Prince Andrew slept with her three times.
In 2019, Virginia Roberts claimed that she had sex with Prince Andrew in a toilet when she was 17, after a night where he had allegedly been plying her with vodka in a posh London club.
“It was a very difficult time. There was a lot of confusion with what was going on.
“The hospital were extremely unhelpful at releasing information. Yeah.
“Physically, she’s been very unwell for a long time.
“But she’s a very strong person. She’s obviously been through hell.”
Mum-of-three Virginia, who was estranged from her husband Robert, had accused the Prince of sexual abuse on three occasions, including when she was just 17.
Royal outcast Andrew has vehemently denied the accusations, although he later paid her a reputed £12million settlement.
There are now calls for him to “honour” his words when he paid millions to Virginia in 2022 and “pledged to demonstrate his regret for his association with Jeffrey Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking and by supporting its victims”.
Andy’s office and Buckingham Palace both released public statements during the Duke’s highly-damaging China spy drama after court documents revealed his links to alleged spook Chris Yang.
PA Media
Virginia Giuffre was one of the most outspoken accusers of convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell[/caption]
Instagram
Virginia previously claimed she had ‘four days to live’ in a worrying post from what appeared to be a hospital bed[/caption]
BackGrid
The gate to Virginia Giuffre’s house in Perth the day after her death by suicide[/caption]
But they have been silent since Virginia took her own life.
As well as missing his horseriding outing on Saturday, he will not join the rest of the royals at next week’s 80th anniversary of VE Day commemorations – despite him seeing action by serving in the Falklands War in 1982.
It is unlikely he will be seen in public until potentially appearing with the Royal Family on Christmas Day at Sandringham.
Epstein was accused of abusing up to 36 girls as young as 14.
He had been convicted in Florida in 2008 of procuring a child for prostitution and of soliciting a prostitute but served only 13 months as part of a plea bargain.
A photographer had snapped Andy and Epstein walking together in New York‘s Central Park in December 2010, while the Duke stayed at Epstein’s townhouse.
The paedophile tycoon was later found dead in his prison cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.
Physically, she’s been very unwell for a long time. But she’s a very strong person. She’s obviously been through hell
Karrie LoudenVirginia Giuffre’s lawyer
Later that year, Andrew told a “car crash” BBC Newsnight interview that he stayed with the convicted sex offender as it was the “honourable thing to do”.
Virginia filed her civil suit against Andrew in August 2021.
She alleged she was trafficked to have sex with him in London, New York and Epstein’s Caribbean lair Little St James, dubbed “paedo island”. The Prince has always denied the allegations and claimed to have never met Virginia.
However, a photograph appearing to show them together in a London townhouse — his arm around her bare midriff — was included in her lawsuit against him. Maxwell is also in the picture.
In January 2022, the Queen summoned her son to Windsor Castle, stripped him of royal roles and banished him from public duty in disgrace.
Weeks later, he paid Virginia the millions of pounds in an out-of-court settlement.
King Charles has been attempting to evict his younger brother from his 31-room Royal Lodge, despite his 75-year lease agreement.
He removed Andrew’s annual cash handout and refused to pay for his private security.
The Sun later revealed the embattled Duke had secured funding to pay for his own guards after striking a deal to sell off access to contacts gained during his Pitch@Palace initiative.
He is said to be pocketing millions by flogging introductions from around the world to Dutch company Startupbootcamp.
But his financial dealings have come under close scrutiny after recent court filings showed he met alleged Chinese spy Yang, also known as Yang Tengbo.
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.
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:
A KEY suspect in Kim Kardashian’s $10million robbery case has suddenly died after reportedly getting threats from a criminal gang suspected of buying her jewellery.
Her caption read: “I’m ready to go, just not until I see my babies one last time. My heart is shattered and every day that passes my sadness only deepens.”
The bus accident story took a twist when Western AustraliaPolice described the crash as minor and said no major injuries were reported.
The late mum and activist was also reportedly fearful that her enemies were attempting to ruin her reputation in the months before she passed.
One friend told Mail Online: “Being discredited was one of the many things distressing her in recent months.”
Virginia was also apparently “deeply upset” about being mocked over the bruised image she posted of herself in a hospital bed, the newspaper added.
Announcing Virginia’s tragic passing on Saturday, her family said the toll of her abuse was “so heavy” it became “unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight”.
They said in a statement: “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.”
Virginia alleged Epstein and Maxwell trafficked her to the Duke of York when she was 17 – a claim Andrew has denied.
Police confirmed emergency services were called to reports of an unresponsive woman at a property in the Perth suburb of Neergabby on Friday night.
And her 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”.
PA
Her family have said the toll of the abuse became ‘unbearable’[/caption]
Instagram
Virginia previously claimed she had ‘four days to live’ in a worrying post from what appeared to be a hospital bed[/caption]
BackGrid
The gate to Virginia Giuffre’s house in Perth the day after her death by suicide[/caption]
“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.
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.
Who was Virginia Giuffre?
VIRGINIA Roberts – later Virginia Giuffre, 41, was an American-Australian campaigner and a prominent victim of the sex trafficking ring of Jeffrey Epstein.
She made claims against Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, as well as Brit socialite Ghislaine Maxwell – Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-lover.
Giuffre alleged in court documents that she was procured by Maxwell, 63, the daughter of disgraced tycoon Robert Maxwell, as a teenage “sex slave” for Epstein.
She released a manuscript just hours before Epstein’s death, which added to more than 2,000 documents of a lawsuit pending against the former financier and his pals.
The legal documents were released in a defamation case involving Giuffre, who has claimed in court documents that Prince Andrew slept with her three times.
In 2019, Virginia Roberts claimed that she had sex with Prince Andrew in a toilet when she was 17, after a night where he had allegedly been plying her with vodka in a posh London club.
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“.
She claimed she feared for her life when she was allegedly forced to have sex with Andrew, who is accused of having been aware of her age and status as a “sex-trafficking victim”.
The Duke has ignored repeated calls to tell US authorities what he knows about paedo Epstein’s criminal behaviour.
In his notorious Newsnight interview five years ago, Andrew vowed to help the probe into Epstein and his warped madam Maxwell.
But the royal has remained silent – and claimed he knew nothing of Epstein’s vile crimes despite their friendship.
Andrew has denied any wrongdoing and has denied allegations made against him.
Epstein took his own life in jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019.
Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for conspiring with him to sexually abuse minors.
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.
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:
Virginia Giuffre was one of the most outspoken accusers of convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell[/caption]
Getty
Virginia is seen arriving at federal court in the US with lawyer David Boies, and fellow Epstein accuser Annie Farmer, in August 2019[/caption]
AFP
Convicted sex offender Epstein avoided justice after being found dead in his cell in 2019[/caption]
