Carolyn Andriano: Family of Jeffrey Epstein victim raises question over 'accidental overdose' death
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: Carolyn Andriano, a courageous survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's web of abuse, tragically died in a Florida hotel room in May from what authorities believe to be an accidental overdose.
However, her death has raised questions and concerns, leaving her family demanding answers, Daily Mail reports.
Carolyn Andriano's mysterious death
Late in May, the news of Andriano's death sent shockwaves through those who had followed her story. The 36-year-old woman was discovered lifeless in a hotel room, her demise attributed to a suspected overdose, according to local law enforcement.
However, her grieving mother, Dorothy Groener, remains skeptical and is determined to seek justice for her daughter.
"Nobody's giving me any answers, and you know what? I'm over it," Groener expressed her frustration in a recent conversation with The Daily Beast, "Because this is my daughter, and she deserves justice. She got to a point where she was turning her whole life around."
Nevertheless, some family members have raised doubts about Groener's claims, pointing to Andriano's history of drug abuse and the presence of drug-related paraphernalia in her hotel room.
Yet, the circumstances surrounding her untimely death continue to linger, evoking memories of the notorious Epstein case.
Epstein and Maxwell: A dark chapter in American crime
The late financier and convicted sex offender, Epstein, made headlines with his arrest in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, only to be found dead in his jail cell in what was officially declared a suicide.
His close associate and alleged accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, was subsequently convicted in a high-profile federal trial and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Epstein had previously been convicted in Florida in 2008 of procuring a child for prostitution. However, his controversial plea deal resulted in a lenient sentence, allowing him to serve minimal prison time. It wasn't until the media exposed the details of this deal that Epstein's dark legacy resurfaced, leading to his eventual arrest on federal charges and subsequent death.
In July 2020, Maxwell, too, was arrested on federal charges for her involvement in the high-profile sex trafficking ring. Andriano, a victim of Epstein's abuse, played a crucial role as a witness during Maxwell's trial. Her testimony shed light on the horrors she and other young women endured under Epstein's reign and how Virginia Giuffre recruited her into the ring.
Giuffre, another survivor, had accused Prince Andrew of abusing her and ultimately reached a reported $14 million settlement. However, she also admitted to recruiting other girls into the ring, including Andriano. It was Andriano's compelling testimony that contributed to Maxwell's conviction.
"I'm glad they believed me, and that it was wrong what Maxwell did to me. I had a voice and it was heard," Andriano shared during an exclusive interview with Daily Mail in January 2022, revealing her strength and determination to empower other abuse victims.
Carolyn Andriano's tragic ending
During her testimony, Andriano revealed her harrowing past struggles with drug abuse and her experience of childhood sexual abuse by a relative. Regrettably, it was the specter of substance abuse that returned and ultimately led to her tragic end, as investigators believe.
On May 23, 2023, police received a distress call from the DoubleTree by Hilton in West Palm Beach, Florida, reporting Andriano's overdose. She had gone to bed the night before with her husband, John Pitts, and her children in the room.
However, when they woke up, Andriano was found lifeless and unclothed in bed. In her purse, authorities discovered a crack pipe, a small baggie containing a white residue, and a needle.
Pitts attempted to perform CPR before police arrived.
The subsequent investigation concluded that Andriano's death was indeed due to an "accidental overdose," with the case set to be officially closed. A toxicology report revealed the presence of methadone, fentanyl, and alprazolam in Andriano's system at the time of her demise.
However, her mother, Groener, is adamant that further investigation is warranted, alleging that vodka bottles were found in the room despite her daughter having no alcohol in her system.
"It shouldn't be closed," Groener insisted. "I've asked for them to make meetings, contact me, and to no avail."
Despite disagreements within the family and a legal dispute over Andriano's will, the questions surrounding her mysterious death persist.