The family of sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre have launched a public fundraiser in her memory, because they expect it will take years to divide up her rich estate.
They are seeking to raise $15,000 to build a memorial in her memory that will be open for the public to visit.
Giuffre, 41, took her own life on April 25 at her Neergabby farmhouse, an hour north of Perth.
Giuffre was one of the most prominent victims of paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, claiming he trafficked her for sex at the age the age of 17 to Prince Andrew.
The Duke of York denied the claims but made an out-of-court with Giuffre in 2022 for an undisclosed sum, reportedly around $25 million.
Her sister in-law Amanda Roberts revealed that the remaining money and property, including her family’s $1.9 million beach mansion and $1.3 million farm, will take ‘years’ to divide up.
Giuffre’s Perth-based lawyer Karrie Louden agreed and told the Daily Mail Australia that she did not know if her client even had a will.
Her family, anticipating a drawn-out process of dividing her assets, have launched a GoFundMe appeal for the mother-of-three in the meantime so she can have a ‘permanent mark in this world’.
The family of sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre have launched an appeal for cash after revealing her multi-million dollar estate could be locked up for years. Pictured are her brothers Sky Roberts (left) and Danny Wilson with Virginia
The Duke of York repeatedly denied the claims butthe matter was settled out-of-court in 2022 when Giuffre received an undisclosed sum, said to be around $25 million
‘Though our family are experiencing an immeasurable sense of grief, we know that this will make us stronger,’ it read.
‘That is what Virginia would have wanted. With that, we think it is imperative that we find a way to leave her mark of legacy.
‘Virginia, through her fight and testimony, was able to amass settlements, but unfortunately, through this tragedy, as many of you may know, funds and estates can take years to settle.
‘While her estate is being settled in Australia, her family in America is dedicated to memorialising and celebrating her spirit.
‘It is our intention with this fund that we create a public memorial not just for family but for survivors and supporters from all over to visit and share space with Virginia.
‘She deserves to have a permanent mark in this world that demonstrates her lasting impact.’
The family also thanked supporters.
‘First and foremost, thank you for the outpouring of love and support for our beloved Virginia,’ the appeal added.
Virginia Giuffre was last seen in public being driven by her brother Danny Wilson close to her farmhouse just over a fortnight before her death
The family’s picturesque farm is part of her multi-million dollar estate
‘We know Virginia was not just a bright light to us, but to many. The lives she touched, the strength, and the fight she has given us will live with us always.’
They also pledged to continue Giuffre’s legacy in fighting for stronger laws to protect victims of sexual abuse and prevent culprits from escaping justice.
The family vowed to take on her mission ‘with all our heart and soul’
Her carer and ‘mother figure’ Cheryl Myers, told Daily Mail Australia she ‘hoped,’ that work could continue on her plans to turn the farmhouse into a refuge for domestic violence victims and abused animals.
‘It’s what she would have wanted, absolutely no doubt in my mind about that,’ she said.
Ms Myers had been employed as Giuffre’s carer for more than a year and was by her side throughout her ‘messy divorce’ proceedings as well as the school bus crash controversy in the weeks before her death.
Ms Myers says she loved Giuffre ‘like a daughter’ and will never get over the loss.
‘She loved her mum, but I showed her another side while the mother wasn’t there,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I was a mother figure – we became more than a carer relationship.’
While Virginia Giuffre was separated from her husband, Robert Giuffre (pictured together), the pair were not officially divorced
Her’mother figure’ Cheryl Myers, told Daily Mail Australia she ‘hoped,’ that her legacy would also be honoured by way of a refuge for domestic violence victims and abused animals
While Giuffre was separated from her husband, Robert Giuffre, the pair were not officially divorced.
Giuffre escaped Epstein’s clutches after meeting her husband-to-be while on a massage training course in Thailand that Epstein had paid for.
She had a whirlwind romance with the martial arts instructor and they married within a week in 2002 before moving to the NSW Central Coast in Australia and setting up home together.
The marriage is believed to have broken down last year, with Giuffre moving into their weekend getaway farmhouse, while her husband remained in Perth with their three children.
Her father Sky Roberts said the marriage breakdown was ‘messy.’
