The former model agent and associate of Jeffrey Epstein, Jean-Luc Brunel, has been found dead in prison.
The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed that the 76-year-old's body was found in his cell in the early hours of the morning (19 February), Le Monde reports.
Brunel had been implicated in Epstein's crimes and indicted for the rape of a number of children, which he denied.
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An investigation into the case of death has now been opened.
Brunel was arrested back in 2020 as he prepared to take a flight from Charles de Gaulle airport to Senegal.
He was later charged with the rape of minors over the age of 15.
According to Paris Prosecutor Remy Heitz, at the time, Brunel was suspected of 'having committed acts of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment on various minor or major victims and of having in particular organized the transport and accommodation of young girls or young women on behalf of Jeffrey Epstein'.
Epstein was also found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in New York in 2019.
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In December last year, Epstein's former partner Ghislaine Maxwell was found guilty of five sex trafficking charges.
The jury convicted her of conspiracy to entice and transport individuals under 17 with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity, as well as sex trafficking of individuals under the age of 17 and 18.
And just last week, it was revealed that Prince Andrew, a long time friend of Epstein, and Virginia Giuffre had reached a 'settlement in principle' - reportedly worth £12 million - in the civil sex claim filed in the US.
The royal was accused by Giuffre of forcing her to have sex at a property belonging to Maxwell when she was 17 years old.
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Last month, Prince Andrew demanded a trial by jury as he seeks to defend a civil sex case brought by Giuffre, according to court documents filed in New York.
However, the situation changed and 'a settlement in principle' was undertaken.
A document submitted to a US court said: "Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew have reached an out of court settlement.
"The parties will file a stipulated dismissal upon Ms Giuffre’s receipt of the settlement (the sum of which is not being disclosed).
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"Prince Andrew intends to make a substantial donation to Ms. Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights.
"Prince Andrew has never intended to malign Ms Giuffre’s character, and he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks.
"It is known that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked countless young girls over many years.
"Prince Andrew regrets his association with Epstein, and commends the bravery of Ms Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others.
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"He pledges to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims."
Featured Image Credit: Police handout/BFM TVTopics: Crime, Jeffrey Epstein, US News, No Article Matching