An Australian woman who launched a civil lawsuit against American twin brothers Oren and Alon Alexander, accusing them of a violent sexual assault, has been found dead near Sydney. Her death occurs just weeks before the brothers are set to face a criminal trial in the United States on sex trafficking charges.
Death of an Accuser
The New South Wales Coroner confirmed that Kate Whiteman, 45, died late last year. An investigation into the cause of her death is now underway, as reported by the New York Times. Whiteman's passing comes at a critical juncture in the legal saga involving the Alexander brothers.
In March 2024, Whiteman filed a lawsuit against Oren and Alon Alexander, both 37. She claimed she first met the twins at a Manhattan nightclub in 2012. According to her suit, they then forced her into a car and drove approximately two hours east to the Hamptons.
She alleged she was taken to a party mansion known as Sir Ivan’s Castle, where the sexual assault occurred. The Alexander brothers were prominent figures in New York's social scene; Oren was a top-earning real estate agent, and Alon was an executive in the family's private security firm.
A Flood of Allegations and Arrests
The case against the brothers expanded rapidly. The day after Whiteman came forward, a second lawsuit was filed alleging the twins assaulted another woman at a Manhattan party in 2010. A third lawsuit soon followed, implicating their older brother, Tal Alexander.
Amid a wave of allegations on social media, the three brothers were arrested in December 2024. They were charged with 11 offences related to an alleged sex trafficking operation. Prosecutors claim they worked together to drug, sexually assault, and rape women repeatedly and violently.
According to the indictment, the brothers would allegedly arrange assaults in advance, using promises of luxury travel and accommodations to lure women to various locations. The women were then reportedly raped and assaulted, sometimes by multiple men, including one or more of the Alexander brothers.
Trial Proceeds Amid Tragedy
News of Whiteman's death arrives just days before jury selection was scheduled to begin for the brothers' criminal trial on January 20. The trial itself is expected to start on January 26.
All three brothers have denied all allegations. They have characterised both the civil and criminal cases as part of an extortion campaign against them. In an attempt to have Whiteman's civil suit dismissed last year, the brothers' legal team presented explicit messages and photos they claim she sent them for over a year after the alleged rape. Whiteman's attorneys accused them of selectively choosing correspondence to support their motion.
The death of Kate Whiteman adds a tragic and complex layer to a case that has already captured significant international attention, highlighting the severe personal toll of such high-profile legal battles.
