Virginia Giuffre, who accused Prince Andrew of sexual assault, has died aged 41. In a statement, her family said she took her own life at the farm where she had been living for several years.

Her family hailed Mrs Giuffre as a "fierce warrior" in the battle against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Mrs Giuffre had become over the years one of the most prominent voices accusing Jeffrey Epstein of grooming and sexually abusing her. The family's statement read: "It is with utterly broken hearts that we announce that Virginia passed away last night at her farm in Western Australia. She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking.

“In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight.”

They added: "Despite all the adversity she faced in her life, she shone so bright. She will be missed beyond measure".

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