Latest news with #SigridMcCawley
The Sun
11-05-2025
- The Sun
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. 6 6 6 6 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. 6 6 "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.
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Emotional moment Virginia Giuffre's lawyer breaks down as she recalls her disbelief after the Jeffrey Epstein victim took her own life
The US attorney of sex abuse survivor Virginia Giuffre says the world will never be the same again after her client's death. Giuffre, 41, took her own life on April 25 at her farmhouse in Neergabby, north of Perth after the 'toll of abuse... became unbearable', according to her family. She was one of the most prominent accusers of convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, claiming the pair kept her as a sex slave as a teen. She alleged they trafficked her to the Duke of York when she was 17 and was sexually assaulted by him - a claim which Prince Andrew has always strenuously denied. The Prince reached an out-of-court settlement with her in 2022. Sigrid McCawley was not only Giuffre's lawyer but also a friend, who fought back tears in a 60 Minutes interview aired on Sunday night. 'I used to say that we had broken through the lawyer-client line because she would sign her emails, 'I love you Siggy',' she recalled. '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.' The news of Giuffre's death shocked Ms McCawley. 'Overwhelming surprise and disbelief. True disbelief,' she recalled. 'It took me several hours to even come to terms with the fact that that was real.' Ms McCawley never feared that Giuffre would take her own life, despite the deep physical and mental scars her client carried. Her marriage to Robert Giuffre had recently broke down and she appeared to be estranged from the couple's teenage children. Then less than a month before her death, Giuffre took to social media claiming that she had renal failure and 'four days to live' following a crash involving a school bus. 'I was concerned about her physical health,' Ms McCawley said. 'Virginia is always someone to rally, so every time I talked to her, she could find the sunny side of something. So she was very, 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. 'I think that while Virginia could face many demons in her life and and many villains, that moment of deprivation, I think was something that was more than she could handle.' Giuffre said she was just 16 when she was first abused by Epstein and Maxwell. Ms McCawley said Giuffre left behind a powerful legacy. 'She has left us with a feeling that irrespective of whether you're a president, a politician, a billionaire or a prince, that you can be held accountable. You are not above the law,' she said 'She put Epstein in prison. She put Maxwell in prison. 'She had Prince Andrew stripped of his titles. 'Her words, her actions were incredible, and they started a movement of change.' 60 Minutes also looked back on its 2019 interview with Giuffre after Epstein took his own life while behind bars. Traumatic memories came flooding back as she stood outside his former New York mansion almost 20 years prior. 'It's hard. It's really hard being back here... There's a lot of scars hidden behind those walls,' Giuffre recalled. 'It should be ripped down, it should be burned to the ground 'Some of my worst memories are from this place.' For confidential 24-7 support in Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
