Seven unanswered questions after Virginia Giuffre’s tragic death… from truth of Andrew’s payout to riddle of final days

SHE was the brave sexual abuse survivor who gave a voice to the voiceless, but now the tragic death of Virginia Giuffre has opened up a Pandora’s Box of unanswered questions.

The most prominent victim of predator Jeffrey Epstein was found unresponsive by police at her remote farmhouse an hour north of Perth late on Friday night, with her family revealing the 41-year-old had died by suicide.

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Virginia Giuffre was found dead on Friday evening[/caption]

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Her death leaves many unanswered questions[/caption]

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A legal battle over her inheritance could reveal fresh details about the payout Andrew made to Virginia[/caption]

In a statement, they said: “Giuffre 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.”

US-born Virginia was one of the most high-profile victims of disgraced financier Epstein, who died by suicide in prison in 2019, and Ghislaine Maxwell.

She long alleged that they groomed and trafficked her to Prince Andrew when she was 17, claims which the Duke of York has strongly denied. 

Since reaching a multi-million pound out-of-court settlement with Andrew in 2022, Virginia largely stayed out of the public eye, living with her family in a Perth suburb.

That was, however, until a dramatic post she made on Instagram last month showed her badly bruised and in hospital, though confusion then ensued over whether the injuries had been caused by a car crash as she claimed. 

Her courage 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,.

It may be years until we finally have answers – but Virginia’s death will only inspire those still looking for the truth behind Epstein’s sickening campaign of cruelty and exploitation.

What caused Virginia’s shocking death?

In contrast to the statement released by her family, Virginia’s lawyer, Karrie Louden, expressed doubts over the claims that she had killed herself – leaving open the possibility that her death was accidental. 

“She was in a lot of pain but she was looking forward to things in the future. She wanted to renovate this house and all sorts of things like that,” she told The Sun.

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Virginia’s brothers recently revealed the final photo taken before her death[/caption]

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Her lawyer, Karrie Louden, has fuelled questions around her death[/caption]

“When I got the phone call, I was like, are you joking? Because there was no sign that that was something she was considering.”

It is understood that Virginia overdosed on pills, but questions remain over whether the overdose was intentional.

“We’ve got big question marks over it,” Karrie added.

“There’s suicide and then there’s misadventure.

“I didn’t see her in the room. I wasn’t in there The family said what the family has said but I’m not going to speculate whether it was suicide or accidental.”

It could now take up to two years until a coroner’s report is filed. 

Will details of Andrew’s payout be revealed?

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Andrew was banished from public life shortly before agreeing to a multi-million pound out-of-court settlement[/caption]

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Virginia had filed a lawsuit against the Prince, claiming she had been forced to have sex with him in both Epstein’s New York property and on his private Caribbean island[/caption]

In August 2021, Virginia filed a civil lawsuit against Andrew in New York.

She alleged she was forced to have several sexual encounters with the prince while underage in New York, London, and on Epstein’s private Caribbean island – accusations that Andrew denied.

In the end, the pair reached an out-of-court settlement in February 2022, with some sources putting the figure as high as £12million – far higher than the £370,000 payout she had received following her lawsuit against Epstein himself.

However, the truth about just how many millions she received could soon become known.

Sources had claimed that a bitter legal battle could break out between her family in the US and her estranged husband Robert. 

Although the couple separated, they remained married at the time of her death, which under Australian law means Robert is first in line for the inheritance.

It’s also unknown if she rewrote her will in the days before her death.

Since their split, Robert has been the one caring for their three children, two of whom are minors.

“Because two of her children are underage, the court could order her estate placed in trust,” a source told The Mirror. 

“Meanwhile, her family in the States, where she held citizenship, could launch a legal claim, sparking an international tug-of-war. It isn’t going to be clean.

“The fact minors are involved usually pushes courts toward setting up a trust – but with an international family and huge money at stake, challenges are almost inevitable.”

Should matters head to court, then the truth about the size of the payout might finally be revealed.

What really happened with car accident?

On March 31, Virginia posted a photograph of herself that quickly made headlines around the world.

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A shocking post by Virginia claimed she had just days to live[/caption]

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However, Virginia’s account of the crash was contradicted by police reports of the incident[/caption]

The picture showed her lying in a hospital bed with severe bruising to her head, claiming that her car had been hit by a school bus travelling at nearly 70mph, on a road north of Perth.

“I’ve gone into kidney renal failure, they’ve given me four days to live,” she wrote.

“I’m ready to go, just not until I see my babies one last time.”

However, shock quickly turned to confusion after Australian police revealed the collision was logged as a minor traffic incident and that no injuries were reported. 

It also emerged that no charges were brought against either driver, with the incident only reported to cops the following day – by the bus driver. 

Just a week after her cryptic post, Virginia was discharged. Her representative later said that the Instagram post of her in hospital was a mistake and had been intended for a private page

Meanwhile, her father, Sky, reported that doctors had told her she would have died had she not received medical attention, not that she had days to live.

However, the truth about why she said what she did, despite what the police later clarified, is unknown.

What caused marriage breakdown with husband?

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Virginia Giuffre and her husband Robert have been married for 22 years[/caption]

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Shortly before her death, she claimed she had been a victim of domestic abuse[/caption]

Married for more than two decades, it was reported that Virginia and her husband Robert, a martial arts instructor, quietly separated as far back August 2023, with her children – aged 19, 16, and 15 – going to live with their father.

Shortly before her death, Virginia came forward for the first time with allegations that she had suffered abuse at the hands of her husband.

“I was able to fight back against Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein, who abused and trafficked me,” she said in a statement to People magazine. 

“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.”

In response, Robert is reported to have filed a family violence restraining order against her, claiming that it was her who had become violent. She was then accused of breaching this restraining order in February by texting Robert.  

The allegations have left the public questioning how much troubles in her personal life may have influenced Virginia’s actions in her final days.

Will this be end of Andrew’s comeback hopes?

Andrew has spent the last few years as something of a recluse, far away from public life since having his titles and roles stripped away from him by the late Queen Elizabeth in January 2022.

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Andrew remains holed up in his home on the Windsor estate[/caption]

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Insiders had claimed that Andrew was looking for a route back into public life[/caption]

And King Charles has also been attempting to evict his brother from the 31-room Royal Lodge in Windsor, removing his annual cash handout and refusing to pay for his private security. 

But last weekend he made a surprise appearance as he joined the King and Queen for the Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle. 

Looking jovial and relaxed, it fuelled suspicions that the Duke was looking for routes back into public life.

“Andrew does deep down harbour hopes that he can make a comeback. But they are delusional hopes,” an insider told The Sun.

Following Virginia’s post from hospital and the revelation from Aussie police that she had only been involved in a “minor crash”, sources close to Andrew pounced on the confusion in an attempt to paint her as an unreliable witness. 

But the Duke has stayed silent following her death, missing his regular Saturday morning horse-ride around the estate, while insiders say her suicide has put to bed any chance of a comeback.

“Any notion that the message or her bus crash story could somehow make her an unreliable witness has now disappeared,” a source said. 

“The door is firmly closed on any return.”

Will Andrew step up and honour pledge?

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There have been calls for Andrew to honour the pledge he made to support the fight against sex trafficking[/caption]

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Virginia claimed she engaged in sexual relations with Andrew when she was just 17[/caption]

As part of his settlement with Virginia, Andrew “pledged to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking and by supporting its victims.”

But it was a pledge he failed to keep – which has led to calls for him to act now in the wake of Virginia’s suicide.

Coming forward to show compassion and actually throw himself into charity work may be the only way for the Prince to redeem himself.

Speaking to The Sun, Ingrid Seward, Editor-in-Chief of Majesty magazine, said: “Now is the time for him to honour the promise he made several years ago to help and support victims of sexual abuse.

“I’m afraid that if Prince Andrew doesn’t step forward to react to her death he will be heavily criticised.”

But given how toxic his image has become, this will be far from an easy task for the Duke.

Will infamous photo come back to haunt prince?

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The notorious photo has been called a fake by Ghislaine Maxwell, pictured on the right[/caption]

Despite Andrew claiming to have never met Virginia, the prince is haunted by a now-notorious photograph, alleged to have been taken in 2001 in Ghislaine Maxwell’s Belgravia townhouse by Epstein.

The snap depicts a 17-year old Virginia standing next to Andrew, with his hand around her waist, while Maxwell looks on.

Maxwell, who is currently in prison after being found guilty of child sex trafficking and other offences relating to her connection to Epstein, claimed the photo was a fake.

Andrew himself also suggested that the picture could have been created with digital trickery.

Epstein, who took the snap, is dead, as now is Virginia. 

But the original lies in the hands of the FBI – so the truth may still yet be revealed.