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Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Virginia Giuffre Laid to Rest During Private Funeral in Australia, 1 Month After Her Death by Suicide at Age 41
Virginia Giuffre was cremated during a private funeral in Australia, one month after her death by suicide at age 41 Her loved ones recently gathered at the Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park in Padbury to say their final goodbyes Virginia, who was one of the most outspoken accusers of convicted sex offenders Jeffery Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as Prince Andrew, is survived by her three children, ages 19, 16 and 15Virginia Giuffre has been laid to rest. Virginia's loved ones recently said their final goodbyes to her when she was cremated during a private funeral, PEOPLE can confirm. The West Australian, which was the first to report the news, said the service took place at the Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park in Padbury, Australia. An exact date for the funeral for Virginia — who was one of the most outspoken accusers of convicted sex offenders Jeffery Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as Prince Andrew — was not shared. Family and friends gathered at the Australian cemetery a month after Virginia's death by suicide at age 41 on April 24. Virginia's family did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Sunday, May 25. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Virginia's family revealed the news of her death in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, expressing that she "lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of 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 family continued. "Despite all the adversity she faced in her life, she shone so bright. She will be missed beyond measure. The light of her life were her children Christian, Noah, and Emily." Western Australia Police Force media liaison officer Shelby Brady later confirmed to PEOPLE that emergency services responded to a residence in Neergabby and found an unresponsive 41-year-old. Emergency first aid was rendered, but the woman was declared dead at the scene. According to authorities, "early indications" showed that "the death is not suspicious." Virginia's sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, remembered her while speaking to PEOPLE shortly after her death. 'The world lost a fierce warrior. She wished for all survivors to get justice. That is who she was," said Amanda, adding through tears: "We lost our sister. Her children lost their mother, and her mother lost her daughter." "She was one of the most beautiful souls you would ever have the chance to meet," Amanda continued of Virginia. "But I think sometimes, that load and that weight becomes too much to carry.' Amanda added that her husband, Sky Roberts, Virginia's brother, was staying with her when she died. Virginia's death came following a tumultuous start to 2025. On March 30, she said in an Instagram post that she was near death and in the hospital after a car she was in days earlier was struck by a school bus going more than 49 mph. 'I've gone into kidney renal failure," Virginia wrote alongside a photo of herself lying in a hospital bed, her face seen covered in bruises. "They've given me four days to live, transferring me to a specialist hospital in urology.' She then came forward days later with allegations of abuse against her husband of 22 years, Robert Giuffre, telling PEOPLE in an exclusive statement, "I was able to fight back against Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein who, abused and trafficked me. But I was unable to escape the domestic violence in my marriage until recently. After my husband's latest physical assault, I can no longer stay silent." (Robert's attorney declined to comment on the allegations.) Sky and Amanda later told PEOPLE that Virginia had been having marital issues for a while and she separated from Robert — the father of her three children, ages 19, 16 and 15 — sometime around August 2023. Before her death, Virginia founded Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR), a non-profit organization that provides support for survivors of sexual assault. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to Read the original article on People
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Virginia Giuffre Laid to Rest During Private Funeral in Australia, 1 Month After Her Death by Suicide at Age 41
Virginia Giuffre was cremated during a private funeral in Australia, one month after her death by suicide at age 41 Her loved ones recently gathered at the Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park in Padbury to say their final goodbyes Virginia, who was one of the most outspoken accusers of convicted sex offenders Jeffery Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as Prince Andrew, is survived by her three children, ages 19, 16 and 15Virginia Giuffre has been laid to rest. Virginia's loved ones recently said their final goodbyes to her when she was cremated during a private funeral, PEOPLE can confirm. The West Australian, which was the first to report the news, said the service took place at the Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park in Padbury, Australia. An exact date for the funeral for Virginia — who was one of the most outspoken accusers of convicted sex offenders Jeffery Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as Prince Andrew — was not shared. Family and friends gathered at the Australian cemetery a month after Virginia's death by suicide at age 41 on April 24. Virginia's family did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Sunday, May 25. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Virginia's family revealed the news of her death in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, expressing that she "lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of 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 family continued. "Despite all the adversity she faced in her life, she shone so bright. She will be missed beyond measure. The light of her life were her children Christian, Noah, and Emily." Western Australia Police Force media liaison officer Shelby Brady later confirmed to PEOPLE that emergency services responded to a residence in Neergabby and found an unresponsive 41-year-old. Emergency first aid was rendered, but the woman was declared dead at the scene. According to authorities, "early indications" showed that "the death is not suspicious." Virginia's sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, remembered her while speaking to PEOPLE shortly after her death. 'The world lost a fierce warrior. She wished for all survivors to get justice. That is who she was," said Amanda, adding through tears: "We lost our sister. Her children lost their mother, and her mother lost her daughter." "She was one of the most beautiful souls you would ever have the chance to meet," Amanda continued of Virginia. "But I think sometimes, that load and that weight becomes too much to carry.' Amanda added that her husband, Sky Roberts, Virginia's brother, was staying with her when she died. Virginia's death came following a tumultuous start to 2025. On March 30, she said in an Instagram post that she was near death and in the hospital after a car she was in days earlier was struck by a school bus going more than 49 mph. 'I've gone into kidney renal failure," Virginia wrote alongside a photo of herself lying in a hospital bed, her face seen covered in bruises. "They've given me four days to live, transferring me to a specialist hospital in urology.' She then came forward days later with allegations of abuse against her husband of 22 years, Robert Giuffre, telling PEOPLE in an exclusive statement, "I was able to fight back against Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein who, abused and trafficked me. But I was unable to escape the domestic violence in my marriage until recently. After my husband's latest physical assault, I can no longer stay silent." (Robert's attorney declined to comment on the allegations.) Sky and Amanda later told PEOPLE that Virginia had been having marital issues for a while and she separated from Robert — the father of her three children, ages 19, 16 and 15 — sometime around August 2023. Before her death, Virginia founded Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR), a non-profit organization that provides support for survivors of sexual assault. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to Read the original article on People
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Young Couple Killed in 'Freak' Mother's Day Accident are 'Together Forever' After Highway Crash, Says Friend: Reports
A young couple in Australia has been killed after exiting their vehicle while parked on the side of a highway in South Yunderup, Western Australia, police confirmed in a news release The "freak accident" occurred on Mother's Day, a GoFundMe page set up by 24-year-old victim Harrison McElroy's loved ones stated His partner, Kayla, 31, also died in the tragedy, according to reportsA couple have been killed in a "freak" Mother's Day car accident in Australia, according to reports. On Sunday, May 11 at approximately 6:20 p.m. local time, Western Australia Police Force officers from the Major Crash Investigation Section responded to the incident, which occurred on Forrest Highway, south of Pinjarra Road, in South Yunderup, per a news release. Police said a white MG sedan had been "parked in the south-bound emergency lane," before "a male and female exited the vehicle," without naming those involved. "A short time later, a dark blue Volvo station wagon traveling south on Forrest Highway collided with the pedestrians on the highway," the release stated, adding, "The driver of the Volvo stopped at the scene, called emergency services and rendered assistance." "The 31-year-old female and the 24-year-old male pedestrians died from their injuries at the scene," police concluded. The victims have since been identified as Harrison McElroy, 24, and his partner, Kayla, 31, per 9 News and McElroy was a father to an 18-month-old daughter, while Kayla's 17-month-old daughter had reportedly been in their parked car at the time of the tragedy, stated. A Western Australia Police Force spokesperson told PEOPLE in an email they weren't able to "confirm the identities" of those involved in the accident. Per a GoFundMe page set up to raise money to give McElroy "the send off he deserves," the incident was described as "a freak accident." Friends and family have been paying tribute to the couple, with friend Kahu Beard saying, "The spark that they did have was genuine and pure," according to 9 News. Another friend, Ebony Brown, said, "They're together forever now," according to the outlet, which stated the couple had been traveling to Waroona with Mother's Day gifts at the time of the tragedy. It's not known why the couple had exited the vehicle. "She was so loving and doting on her daughter," Brown told the outlet of Kayla, adding, "When I first met her she just lit up the room, and it was just like magic." McElroy's brother, Michael, told 7 News, 'My little brother was a kind-hearted bloke. He took each day as it came without a worry." 'He was the easiest going, laid-back young man I've ever met," he continued, per the outlet. 'He lived his life day by day and in the moment.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. McElroy's family thanked everybody for their support in a GoFundMe update, saying, "Thank you so much to everyone who has donated — we are incredibly grateful for your support during this heartbreaking time." The GoFundMe page had raised almost $6,900 as of Wednesday, May 14. PEOPLE has reached out to McElroy's family for a tribute but did not immediately hear back. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Yahoo
Virginia Giuffre's Family Speaks Out About Her Suicide at 41: 'Too Much to Carry' (Exclusive)
Virginia Giuffre's family is speaking out following her death in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE Virginia, one of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Eptein's most prominent accusers, died by suicide on Thursday, April 24 "She was one of the most beautiful souls you would ever have the chance to meet," Virginia's sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, tells PEOPLE Virginia Giuffre spent most of her life fighting for justice for herself and other sexual abuse victims. But, in the end, the toll may have been too much, according to her family. 'The world lost a fierce warrior,' Virginia's sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview following Virginia's death by suicide at age 41. "She wished for all survivors to get justice. That is who she was.' Virginia, one of the most outspoken accusers of convicted sex offenders Jeffery Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, died at a farm in the Neergabby area outside of Perth, Australia, where she had lived for the last several years, on Thursday, April 24, her family announced on Friday, April 25. 'We lost our sister,' Amanda says through tears. 'Her children lost their mother, and her mother lost her daughter." "That's where we are now. She was one of the most beautiful souls you would ever have the chance to meet," she continues. "But I think sometimes, that load and that weight becomes too much to carry.' Related: Virginia Giuffre, Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew Abuse Accuser, Dies by Suicide at Age 41 (Exclusive) Emergency services responded to a residence in Neergabby and found an unresponsive 41-year-old, Western Australia Police Force media liaison officer Shelby Brady previously confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE. Emergency first aid was rendered, but the woman was declared dead at the scene. According to authorities, "early indications" show that "the death is not suspicious." Major Crime detectives are currently investigating. Virginia's brother, Sky Roberts, was staying with her when she died, according to Amanda. Related: Virginia Giuffre Alleges Husband Has Physically Abused Her For Years: 'I Can No Longer Stay Silent' (Exclusive) In late March, Virginia said in an Instagram post that she was near death and in the hospital after a car she was in days earlier was struck by a school bus going more than 49 mph. 'I've gone into kidney renal failure," Virginia wrote alongside a photo of herself lying in a hospital bed, her face covered in bruises. "They've given me four days to live, transferring me to a specialist hospital in urology.' Shortly after, Virginia came forward with allegations of abuse against her husband of 22 years, Robert Giuffre. She told PEOPLE in an exclusive statement, "I was able to fight back against Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein, who abused and trafficked me. But I was unable to escape the domestic violence in my marriage until recently. After my husband's latest physical assault, I can no longer stay silent." Virginia had reported assault to police in Dunsborough, Western Australia, in January, though Robert was not charged for any crime, Virginia's rep previously confirmed to PEOPLE. Robert's attorney, meanwhile, told PEOPLE in an email statement, "Unfortunately, as the issues you raise are before the Courts in Australia, both he and anyone associated with the case, including Ms Giuffe or her agents, are prohibited from discussing or utilizing the media. Therefore, there is no comment." Sky and Amanda told PEOPLE that Virginia had been having marital issues for a while and had separated from Robert — the father of her three children, ages 19, 16 and 15 — sometime around August 2023. Virginia became known publicly in 2010, when she came forward as a victim of Epstein, who died in his prison cell at age 66 in 2019, and Maxwell, 63, who is currently serving a prison sentence for child sex trafficking in connection with Epstein. In 2021, Virginia claimed in a lawsuit filed against Prince Andrew in New York that the royal forced her to have sex with him three times between 1999 and 2002 in London, New York and on a private Caribbean island owned by Epstein. (The two reached an out-of-court settlement in February 2022. The amount was not disclosed.) Amanda tells PEOPLE she believes the trauma in Virginia's life may have become too much. 'When you go through what she's been through her entire life, it's not over when the court case is over. You are still fighting for the rest of your life," she says. 'So she's fighting real physical pain that she endured, and she was fighting her real mental pain. And sometimes when that mental pain overrules, you can't even see anything else but that," Amanda continues. "I think it's everything from when she was a child until that last day.' Amanda says she still cannot believe that Virginia is dead. 'We are all in a stage of wishing this is a nightmare we are going to wake up from,' she tells PEOPLE. She adds that, in the past few weeks, she and Virginia, whom she considered a 'sister," had "some very, very deep conversations." "I tried to encourage her. We as women have the power to heal each other," Amanda says. Speaking about Virginia's role as a mother, Amanda says Virginia loved her three children "fiercely." 'I would never want them to think that she didn't love them, because they were always on her mind," she continues. Amanda says she and her family will now continue the work of the organization Virginia founded, Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR), a non-profit that provides support for survivors of sexual assault. 'We're going to do everything in our power to continue her legacy and will continue to advocate for survivors all over the world," she tells PEOPLE. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Yahoo
Virginia Giuffre, Jeffrey Epstein Accuser, Dies by Suicide at Age 41
Virginia Giuffre, who publicly accused convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein and Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, has died by suicide. The Western Australia Police Force tells TMZ officers responded to a call on Friday at 9:50 PM local time after a 41-year-old woman was located unresponsive at a residence in Neergabby. Emergency first-aid was provided, but she could not be revived. She was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation into Giuffre's death is ongoing, but police note circumstances are not suspicious. Her family announced she took her own life in a statement to People Friday while praising her as a "fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking." As you know, Giuffre was one of the first people to come forward with abuse allegations against the late Epstein, claiming she was just 16 years old when his currently incarcerated conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, recruited her into a complex sex trafficking ring. She claims she was forced to have sex with Epstein and others, including Prince Andrew. Giuffre and the disgraced British royal agreed to an out-of-court settlement in 2022 after she sued him for allegedly having sex with her three times when she was a minor. Maxwell was found guilty on five counts of sex trafficking in 2021 and Epstein died by suicide in 2019 in a New York jail as he awaited trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Giuffre was in the news just weeks before her death for claiming she had just four days to live following a brutal car accident. At the time, she said she was "ready" to pass on but wanted to see her kids. In her family's statement, they said Giuffre decided to fight back against her alleged abusers after she gave birth to her daughter. She is survived by three children -- Christian, Noah, and Emily -- whom she shared with her husband. RIP. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat
