VIRGINIA Giuffre shared a string of heartbreaking final social media posts just weeks before her tragic death by suicide.
The Prince Andrew accuser, 41, was found dead at her home in Western Australia last night as her family paid a touching tribute to the mum-of-three.
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On April 14, Virginia posted a link to Gotye’s breakup song Somebody That I Used To Know on to her Instagram.
It was followed by a black screen with no caption or audio.
She later pinned the story post to her profile with a broken heart emoji in the middle of two stars.
It remains the only pinned story on Virginia’s account.
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The last image shared to the Instagram profile was a photo of Virginia in a hospital bed with heavy bruising.
She claimed she had suffered kidney failure, was fatally ill, and only had four days left to live after being hit by a bus in Australia.
But the story took a twist when Western Australian Police described the crash as minor and said no major injuries were reported.
She later claimed the incident was blown out of proportion due to a misunderstanding.
Police confirmed emergency services were called to reports of an unresponsive woman at a property in the Perth suburb of Neergabby on Friday night.
Initial investigations are not treating her death as suspicious.
Tributes to a ‘fierce warrior’
The heartbroken family of Virginia announced that the “toll of abuse became unbearable” for the brave mum in her final hours.
In a touching tribute, Virginia’s family 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.”
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Virginia was known as one of the most outspoken accusers of convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and his ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.
She alleged they trafficked her to the Duke of York when she was 17.
In a lawsuit made by Virginia she claimed she had sex with Andrew on three occasions – a claim the duke has always denied.
The rest of their tribute read: “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. We know that she is with the angels.”
Who was Virginia Giuffre?
VIRGINIA Roberts – later Virginia Giuffre, 41, was an American-Australian campaigner and a prominent victim of the sex trafficking ring of Jeffrey Epstein.
She made claims against Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, as well as Brit socialite Ghislaine Maxwell – Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-lover.
Giuffre alleged in court documents that she was procured by Maxwell, 63, the daughter of disgraced tycoon Robert Maxwell, as a teenage “sex slave” for Epstein.
She released a manuscript just hours before Epstein’s death, which added to more than 2,000 documents of a lawsuit pending against the former financier and his pals.
The legal documents were released in a defamation case involving Giuffre, who has claimed in court documents that Prince Andrew slept with her three times.
In 2019, Virginia Roberts claimed that she had sex with Prince Andrew in a toilet when she was 17, after a night where he had allegedly been plying her with vodka in a posh London club.
On February 15, 2022, it was announced that Prince Andrew settled the lawsuit – sparing him a humiliating court battle.
Virginia’s brother Danny Wilson also paid tribute to his sister on Facebook with a photo of the pair and another man.
And her long-time publicist Dini von Mueffling said her client was “one of the most extraordinary human beings I have ever had the honour to know”.
“Deeply loving, wise, and funny, she was a beacon to other survivors and victims,” she added.
“It was the privilege of a lifetime to represent her.”
Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for Virginia, said in a statement: “Her courage pushed me to fight harder, and her strength was awe-inspiring.
“The world has lost an amazing human being today. Rest in peace, my sweet angel.”
Fighting for justice
American-born Virginia lived in Australia for years, becoming an advocate for sex trafficking survivors after emerging as a central figure in the prolonged downfall of disgraced paedophile financier Epstein.
The mum also sued Prince Andrew in 2021, claiming she was trafficked and forced to have sex with the Duke on three occasions when she was a teen.
It was the first time she had brought action against him after going public with the allegations in 2011.
She claimed she was trafficked and forced to have sex with Andrew for the first time at Maxwell’s house in London after a night out at the club Tramp.
Virginia also claimed she was forced to have sex with the Duke on at least two further occasions by both Maxwell and Epstein.
Her legal team argued she was a “frightened, vulnerable child with no one there to protect her” when she was allegedly abused by Andrew, saying “no person, whether President or Prince, is above the law”.
She claimed she feared for her life when she was allegedly forced to have sex with Andrew, who is accused of having been aware of her age and status as a “sex-trafficking victim”.
The Duke has ignored repeated calls to tell US authorities what he knows about paedo Epstein’s criminal behaviour.
In his notorious Newsnight interview five years ago, Andrew vowed to help the probe into Epstein and his warped madam Maxwell.
But the royal has remained silent – and claimed he knew nothing of Epstein’s vile crimes despite their friendship.
Andrew has denied any wrongdoing and has denied allegations made against him.
Epstein took his own life in jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019.
Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for conspiring with him to sexually abuse minors.
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
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