Virginia Giuffre, the most prominent victim of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was honored at an emotional vigil in Washington DC on the anniversary of her death. Friends, family, and supporters gathered near the Washington Monument to remember the woman who shared her story of abuse with the world and to demand justice for Epstein's victims.
Giuffre died by suicide on April 25, 2025, at her farmhouse in Neergabby, north of Perth, Western Australia. She was 41. Her family said her death followed a long battle with the trauma of her abuse.
At the vigil, with the White House in the background, Giuffre's brother Sky Roberts delivered a powerful speech in front of 250 guests. He praised Giuffre for speaking out, saying, "Today is Virginia's day, a day I know you would want to be about celebrating survivors around the world, for both those that have come forward and those that have not." The stage was adorned with butterfly decorations, flowers, and an artist's rendering of Giuffre among animals and nature.
Giuffre's family renewed calls for King Charles III to meet with them during his state visit to the US this week, to "show unity with survivors." Sky Roberts and Amanda Roberts, Giuffre's sister-in-law, strongly urged the King to meet with them and other Epstein survivors. Charles and the Queen are scheduled to arrive in the US on Monday for a four-day visit, during which they will meet President Donald Trump.
Giuffre emerged as a leading voice against Epstein after she alleged she was trafficked and sexually abused by him, his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, and former British royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for luring young girls for Epstein to abuse. When asked about the possibility of a pardon for Maxwell in exchange for evidence, Amanda Roberts told BBC Newsnight, "Never. Never. Even the idea of pardon and Maxwell in the same sentence makes my stomach completely sick."
