Virginia Giuffre's lawyer sobs as she tells of ‘disbelief' at Andrew accuser's death after ‘putting Epstein in prison'
VIRGINIA Giuffre's lawyer broke down in tears and revealed she was in "disbelief" after learning about the shocking death of the Prince Andrew accuser.
Giuffre was tragically found dead at her remote farmhouse, an hour north of Perth, on April 25 after years of torment.
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She was the most prominent victim of the notorious Epstein was found dead by police before her family revealed she had died by suicide.
She said she was trafficked to the Royal by Epstein and his madam, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell.
Mum-of-three Virginia, who was estranged from her husband Robert, had also accused Prince Andrew of sexual abuse on three occasions, including when she was just 17.
The Royal denied the allegations and claimed to have never met Virginia.
Giuffre's family confirmed her death and said she had been a "lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking".
However, Sigrid McCawley, Giuffre's lawyer and longtime friend, fought back her tears as she revealed she was shocked to hear about her death.
Ms McCawley told 60 Minutes: "It took me several hours to even come to terms with the fact that that was real.
"Overwhelming surprise and disbelief. True disbelief.
"She was just a dear person in my life. And I think that the world will not be the same without her. It just won't be."
Ms McCawley, who helped put Epstein in prison, said she never feared that Giuffre would take her own life.
Prince Andrew MUST 'come clean and confess' to Virginia Guiffre's family after tragic death, demands lawyer
The lawyer added: "Virginia is always someone to rally, so every time I talked to her, she could find the sunny side of something.
"So she was still very uplifted and we were focused on getting her care in the United States.
'That's why I think that the disbelief has been so strong. I just keep thinking I'm going to see her again."
Giuffre's family have now launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe to build a public memorial for Giuffre, Jeffrey Epstein's most prominent victim.
They say the brave soul deserves to have a "permanent mark in this world."
They said: "It is imperative that we find a way to leave her mark as a legacy.
"Virginia, through her fight and testimony, was able to amass settlements, but unfortunately, through this tragedy, as many of you may know, funds and estates can take years to settle.
"While her estate is being settled in Australia, her family in America is dedicated to memorialising and celebrating her spirit.
"It is our intention with this fund that we create a public memorial not just for family but for survivors and supporters from all over to visit and share space with Virginia.
"She deserves to have a permanent mark in this world that demonstrates her lasting impact.
The heartfelt statement thanked wellwishers for the "outpouring of love and support" in the wake of Ms Giuffre's death.
It went on: "We know Virginia was not just a bright light to us but to many.
"The lives she touched, the strength, and the fight she has given us will live with us always.
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"Though our family and many are experiencing an immeasurable sense of grief, we know that this will make us stronger - that is what Virginia would have wanted."
They also pledged to continue Ms Giuffre's fight for a change in the law to protect victims of sexual abuse and prevent predators from escaping justice.
The family vowed to take on her mission "with all our heart and soul".
The tragic tributes come after Giuffre's sudden death in April, which opened a Pandora's Box of unanswered questions.
She was the most prominent victim of the notorious Epstein was found dead by police before her family revealed she had died by suicide.
She said she was trafficked to the Royal by Epstein and his madam, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell.
Mum-of-three Virginia, who was estranged from her husband Robert, had also accused Prince Andrew of sexual abuse on three occasions, including when she was just 17.
The Royal denied the allegations and claimed to have never met Virginia.
But a photograph appearing to show them together in a London townhouse - his arm around her bare midriff - was included in her lawsuit against him.
On February 15, 2022, it was announced that Prince Andrew had settled the lawsuit, sparing him a humiliating court battle.
He was later stripped of his royal roles and banished from public duty in disgrace.
Epstein was later found dead in his prison cell in August 2019 whilst Maxwell is serving time behind bars in the US for her role.
Prince Andrew's multi-million pound settlement with his sex abuse accuser has been frozen in the wake of her tragic suicide.
The outcast Royal, 65, paid Virginia Giuffre a reputed £12million after agreeing an out-of-court deal in 2022.
The payout has now been blocked amid fears of a battle for her estate involving her estranged husband and US-based family.
Her grief-stricken relatives said it could "take years to settle" as they launched a GoFundMe drive to raise £10,000 for a lasting memorial in her honour.
Giuffre's courage in speaking out inspired countless victims of abuse to speak out against their tormentors.
But many aspects of Virginia's life remain clouded in mystery - from the truth about her alleged interactions with Andrew, to what actually caused her injuries, and the circumstances around her death.
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'The issue in the proceedings featured significant weaknesses in the Crown case that the Crown must have been aware of at the outset,' he ruled. 'Namely, the glaring differences between what the complainant asserted she told her mother and friends about the alleged sexual assault and what those complaint witnesses stated they had been told by the complainant. 'The relevant facts also include the contrasting aftermath account given by the complainant with the evidence given by her under cross-examination.' Judge Everson said the inconsistencies between the woman's evidence and that of mother and friends 'meant the prosecution case was doomed to fail'. 'All things considered, I am satisfied the [man] has discharged the onus upon him of showing that it was not reasonable to institute the proceedings brought against him,' he ruled. The man, who was represented by George Sten & Co Criminal Lawyers, would lodge a claim for costs of about $100,000, sources said.
