U.S. Lawyer for the Southern District of New York
Jean-Luc Brunel, the French modeling agent accused of procuring ladies for Jeffrey Epstein, was discovered hanged in his Paris jail cell—in a surprising replay of how Epstein himself died.
The 76-year-old was discovered throughout a night-time verify by guards at La Santé early Saturday, officers informed Le Monde.
His attorneys informed the paper that the obvious suicide “was not pushed by guilt, however by a deep sense of injustice.”
Epstein and Brunel accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre mentioned it was unlucky that the Frenchman wouldn't face trial.
“The suicide of Jean-Luc Brunel, who abused me and numerous women and girls, ends one other chapter. I'm disenchanted that I used to be not capable of face him in a closing trial and maintain him accountable for his actions, however gratified that I used to be capable of face him in individual in Paris, to maintain him in jail,” she mentioned.
Virginia Roberts Giuffre and certainly one of her attorneys, David Boies.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
Brad Edwards, who has represented Roberts Giuffre, mentioned he believes the Frenchman took his life as a result of he knew his destiny was sealed.
“He and Epstein made it solely so long as there was hope of getting out,” Edwards informed The Each day Beast.
“Virginia’s testimony in France was a significant factor in Jean-Luc being jailed. Her latest settlement with Prince Andrew solidified her as a extremely credible individual. So it can't be a shock that he took the identical cowardly path as his outdated pal to keep away from true accountability. I really feel dangerous for his many victims however this doesn't have a lot impression in any respect on our investigation, which continues to strengthen.”
Brunel, who based Karin Fashions and MC2 Mannequin Administration, began being investigated by French prosecutors in August 2019. He was arrested in December 2020 whereas trying to board a flight to Dakar in Senegal.
At the moment, prosecutor Remy Heitz mentioned in a press release that Brunel “is suspected of getting dedicated acts of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment on numerous minor or main victims and of getting specifically organized the transport and lodging of younger ladies or younger ladies on behalf of Jeffrey Epstein.”
He was undeniably a detailed affiliate of Epstein, who killed himself by hanging in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 whereas awaiting trial on sex-trafficking expenses.
His identify appeared greater than 15 instances on flight logs for Epstein’s personal jet, and photographs used as proof within the case towards Epstein confidante Ghislaine Maxwell confirmed him palling round together with her and Epstein.
He additionally visited Epstein dozens of instances in the course of the financier’s first jail stint—in Florida, for procuring an underage lady for prostitution.
Logs from Epstein’s Palm Seashore dwelling included messages from Brunel that appeared to discuss with younger ladies. In a single notice, Brunel reported that he “simply did an excellent one—18 years” who informed him “I really like Jeffrey.” In one other, Brunel harassed that “he has a instructor so that you can educate the way to communicate Russian ... She is 2x8 years outdated not blonde. Classes are free and you'll have 1st right now in case you name.”
Giuffre claimed in authorized filings that she was pressured to sleep Brunel, amongst others, whereas she was Epstein’s “intercourse slave.” She accused Brunel of utilizing his modeling company to import ladies and younger ladies and “farm them out to his pals, together with Epstein.”
“Lots of the women got here from poor nations or poor backgrounds, and he lured them in with a promise of constructing good cash,” Giuffre mentioned in a 2015 affidavit. “Jeffrey Epstein has informed me that he has slept with over 1,000 of Brunel’s ladies, and every thing that I've seen confirms this declare.”
Allegations of misconduct towards Brunel predate the Epstein scandal, nonetheless. In 1988, 60 MinutesinterviewedAmerican fashions who labored with him in Paris who accused Brunel of drugging and molesting them.
Brunel professed his innocence by way of all of it.
“I strongly deny having dedicated any illicit act or any wrongdoing in the middle of my work as a scouter or mannequin businesses supervisor,” he mentioned in a 2015 assertion. “I've exercised with the utmost moral normal for nearly 40 years.”
French police have now opened an inquiry into Brunel’s dying. When Epstein was discovered hanged, it triggered a swirl of conspiracy theories that he was murdered, which persist to this present day despite the fact that the medical expert dominated it a suicide. Brunel’s dying beneath such comparable circumstances is certain to jumpstart the rumor mill.
Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for Giuffre and different Epstein victims, mentioned the “struggle to hunt fact and justice goes on.”
“I used to be with Virginia Giuffre in courtroom in Paris when she offered her highly effective testimony towards Jean Luc Brunel. It's devastating to Virginia and all of the survivors that Brunel won't be tried for his crimes and held accountable. However as we mentioned when Jeffrey Epstein cowardly killed himself, for the ladies who've stood up and known as for accountability from legislation enforcement all over the world, it isn't how these males died, however how they lived and the injury they precipitated to so many,” she mentioned.
If you happen to or a cherished one are combating suicidal ideas, please attain out to the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Disaster Textual content Line by texting TALK to 741741