French modelling scout linked to Epstein found dead, prosecutors say

French prosecutors said Wednesday that Daniel Siad, a 69-year-old French modelling scout with close ties to the late US financier Jeffrey Epstein, had been found dead at his home outside Paris.

The prosecutor's office in Nanterre said an investigation to determine the cause of death was opened on Monday evening after the discovery. An autopsy will be carried out as part of that probe. Siad's lawyer, Menya Arab-Tigrine, did not immediately respond when contacted by AFP.

Siad was under investigation in France over allegations including rape and human trafficking. He was one of several French men accused of helping Epstein traffic and abuse women. He had not yet been questioned by investigators, but had denied the allegations and said he wanted to be heard and give his version of events. He had also said that Epstein had taken advantage of his trust.

Siad's name appeared in more than 1,000 documents released as part of the declassified Epstein files. In a 2014 email to Epstein, he compared his efforts to recruit women to fishing.

French authorities arrested modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel in 2020 after allegations that he procured women for Epstein. Brunel was found dead in prison in 2022. Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.

Juliette G., a former French model who says Siad recruited her in 2004 to introduce her to Epstein, said Siad could have helped shed light on what happened. She said another link in the chain had disappeared that could have helped identify those responsible. She asked that her surname be withheld to protect her privacy.

Former Swedish model Ebba Karlsson said she filed the first complaint against Siad in February, accusing him of raping her when she was 20. Karlsson said it was frustrating and that she had worked hard to seek justice. She has also accused Siad of introducing her to Gerald Marie, the former European head of the Elite modelling agency, whom she has accused of rape.

Several women have accused Marie of rape and human trafficking and have urged France to investigate him for possible links to Epstein. Marie has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

Former BBC journalist Lisa Brinkworth, who co-founded a collective to support victims of abuse in the modelling industry, said she was shocked by Siad's death. She said it felt as if victims were being denied justice and criticised the fact that Siad had not been detained.