Perth, Australia: NBC News reported on Friday that Virginia Giuffre, a prominent member of the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, had committed herself.

The 41-year-old died after living in Neergabby, Australia, for a number of years.

One of the first and most vocal supporters calling for Epstein and his associates to be held accountable was Giuffre. Later, several more survivors reported that her courage encouraged them to come forward.

“We regret to inform you that Virginia passed away at her farm in Western Australia last night,” her family wrote in a statement to NBC News. “She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking.”

“Virginia was a valiant fighter against sex trafficking and sexual assault. For many survivors, she was their ray of hope. Ultimately, the burden of abuse is so great that Virginia can no longer face it,” the statement said.

She was instrumental in supporting law enforcement, providing evidence that contributed to Epstein’s partner Ghislaine Maxwell’s conviction and supporting other investigations conducted by the Southern District of New York US Attorney’s Office.

The Queen stripped the Duke of York of his royal patronage and military rank earlier in 2002, shortly after a New York court approved Virginia Giuffre’s civil complaint alleging that she had been sexually molested by Britain’s Prince Andrew when she was 17. It happened after Giuffre accused Prince Andrew of raping her when she was 17 years old in a case she filed in Manhattan federal court. Prince Andrew, however, has refuted the accusations.

Prince Andrew of Britain said in November 2019 that he was leaving his royal responsibilities due to scandal over his “ill-judged” friendship with sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein.

Additionally, a picture of Andrew and Epstein walking in Central Park sparked more debate. After this, Andrew was forced to resign from his position as a British trade ambassador.