1 week Ago By [email protected] (Shivon Watson)
During the latest instalment of BBC Breakfast, viewers were met with sombre news as presenter Charlie Stayt reported the passing of Virginia Giuffre. Charlie was at the forefront of the Saturday morning (April 26) broadcast and was joined by his usual co-presenter Naga Munchetty on the sofa. In a segment of the show, Naga passed the baton to Charlie, remarking: "Charlie, we've had some news from the early hours come through.
" To which Charlie responded: "Yes, this story is emerging overnight. Virginia Giuffre, who accused Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, has died by suicide in her home in Australia." He added: "In a statement, her family say she has been a fierce warrior in her fight against sexual abuse, and the toll of the abuse became unbearable," reports the Express .
"Prince Andrew has consistently denied all the claims made against him. Our correspondent in Australia, Katie Watson, has more on this." The programme transitioned to a video piece by Katie, the Australian correspondent, detailing Virginia's life and the events that brought her into the public eye.
Virginia stood out as a key figure among those levelling accusations against Jeffrey Epstein and his ex-partner Ghislaine Maxwell, both found guilty of sex crimes. She alleged they coerced her into sexual encounters with Prince Andrew when she was just 17, an allegation that the Duke of York has always strongly denied. Approximately three weeks prior, Virginia Giuffre disclosed via Instagram that she had sustained injuries in a car accident, but her family later clarified that she did not intend for the information to be made public.
Subsequently, local officials minimised the severity of the incident. Virginia was 41 years old and had passed away in Western Australia on Friday, where she had been a resident for a number of years. The family released the following statement: "Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking.
She was the light that lifted so many survivors," they said. "Despite all the adversity she faced in her life, she shone so bright. She will be missed beyond measure.
" Hailing from the United States originally, Virginia had set up home in North Perth's suburbs with her husband Robert and their offspring. Nevertheless, current reports point to a division between the couple after a 22-year union. BBC Breakfast airs Mondays-Sundays from 6am on BBC One.
.
