Ghislaine Maxwell’s family ‘fears for her safety’ after Epstein pal Jean-Luc Brunel found dead
After a close associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his jail cell, Ghislaine Maxwell's family "fears for her safety." Jean-Luc Brunel, a disgraced French modeling agent who was facing multiple charges of rape and sexual abuse, was discovered hanged in a Paris prison by apparent suicide. Maxwell, Epstein's former business associate and romantic partner, is currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York after being convicted of multiple counts of sex trafficking and sexual abuse of minors. Her brother told the New York Post that her family is now concerned for her safety as a result of this death.
After being charged with rape and sexual harassment of minors over the age of 15 in 2020, 75-year-old Jean-Luc Brunel, died while awaiting trial. Brunel was also under investigation for allegedly trafficking dozens of minors as part of Epstein's widespread sexual abuse ring, according to CNN. His death on Saturday, February 19, was similar to that of Epstein, who died in his own jail cell in New York City in 2019 before facing federal sex trafficking charges. Epstein's death was also ruled a suicide by authorities, despite widespread conspiracy theories that he was murdered instead.
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Ian Maxwell told the New York Post, "it's really shocking. Another death was by hanging in a high-security prison. My reaction is one of total shock and bewilderment." He added that his sister has since been placed on suicide watch and is now being woken up by prison authorities every 15 minutes in the night. Maxwell's sentencing is still pending, and he could face up to 65 years in prison. Her attorneys, however, requested a new trial late last month after jurors in her case said they shared personal experiences of sexual abuse during deliberations, possibly swaying them toward a conviction.
Meanwhile, according to CNN, several victims testified during the trial that Maxwell enticed girls as young as 14 into giving Epstein massages in exchange for money in his private home. Those encounters frequently led to rape and other forms of sexual abuse. She is also facing two counts of perjury in connection with a 2016 deposition. In relation to Epstein, Maxwell and Brunel had maintained their innocence. Brunel's lawyers said on Saturday (February 19) that his suicide was motivated by a deep sense of injustice rather than guilt.