Canberra, April 26 (IANS) Virginia Giuffre, a central figure in the efforts to expose Jeffrey Epstein’s network of abuse and trafficking, has died by suicide at the age of 41.

Her passing was confirmed by her family on Friday, who said she died in Neergabby, Australia.

Giuffre was widely recognised for her bravery in coming forward with allegations that not only implicated Epstein but also powerful individuals within his orbit. Over the years, she became a leading advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking, using her voice to push for accountability and justice.

Born and raised in Florida, Giuffre faced trauma from a young age, including sexual abuse by a family acquaintance.

These early experiences led to instability in her teenage years, eventually resulting in her becoming homeless. It was during this vulnerable period that she encountered Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, who allegedly groomed her for exploitation.

Between 1999 and 2002, Giuffre was allegedly trafficked by Epstein to several high-profile individuals. Among those she named were Britain's Prince Andrew and French modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, both of whom have denied any wrongdoing.

Giuffre's detailed testimony and persistent advocacy played a pivotal role in the legal proceedings that culminated in the 2021 conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell for sex trafficking and other related crimes. Maxwell is currently serving a prison sentence for recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein.

Epstein, who faced numerous charges of sex trafficking, died in jail in 2019 in what was officially ruled a suicide.

In a statement, Giuffre's family remembered her as “a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking.” They also acknowledged the emotional toll her experiences had taken, stating that “the burden became too heavy for her to bear.”