Virginia Giuffre, whose bravery in speaking out against billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew helped expose an international sex trafficking network, has died by suicide at her home in Western Australia. She was 41.

Her family confirmed Giuffre passed away on Friday night at her property in Neergabby, in the Shire of Gingin, about 80 kilometres north of Perth.

“It is with utterly broken hearts that we announce that Virginia passed away at her farm in Western Australia,” her family said.

“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. Despite all the adversity she faced in her life, she shone so bright. She will be missed beyond measure.”

Her family described her children Christian, Noah, and Emily as “the light of her life,” and said the birth of her daughter was a pivotal moment that inspired her to fight back against those who had abused her.

“There are no words that can express the grave loss we feel today with the passing of our sweet Virginia. She was heroic and will always be remembered for her incredible courage and loving spirit. In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight.”

Giuffre’s name became globally recognised after she filed a lawsuit against Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, alleging she was trafficked to him by Epstein when she was 17. ABC Australia reported that Giuffre claimed she was forced into sexual encounters with the prince at Ghislaine Maxwell’s London townhouse, as well as at Epstein’s properties in New York and the Virgin Islands. Prince Andrew has always denied the allegations.

A civil settlement between Giuffre and Prince Andrew was reached in February 2022, reportedly worth millions of dollars, but included no admission of guilt. The agreement avoided a high-profile public trial that would have brought further scrutiny on the royal family.

Giuffre’s accusations formed a crucial part of the broader reckoning that followed Epstein’s arrest and death in 2019, as more survivors came forward detailing a pattern of abuse involving powerful figures. Her persistent efforts helped shift the global conversation around the exploitation of vulnerable young women and highlighted the failures of institutions to protect them.

Beyond her legal battles, Giuffre founded a non-profit organisation, Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR), aimed at supporting survivors of trafficking and sexual abuse. She used her platform to push for legal reforms and greater accountability, advocating for the voices of victims to be heard and respected.

In a 2020 interview with ABC’s Four Corners, Giuffre spoke about her determination to seek justice not only for herself but for others silenced by fear and shame. “For every woman and man who’s been sexually abused, I want them to know that they have a voice and they can fight back,” she said.

In late March this year, Giuffre posted on Instagram saying she had been involved in a bus crash and had “four days to live” after doctors allegedly warned her of impending kidney failure. Her family later said she was in a “serious condition while receiving medical care,” though police described the incident as “minor” and hospital officials disputed the severity of her injuries.