French Epstein Associate Found Dead Near Paris

French authorities confirmed on Wednesday that Daniel Siad, a 69-year-old model scout linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was found dead at his residence in the Paris suburb of Colombes on Monday. The Nanterre public prosecutor's office has initiated an investigation into the cause of death, with an autopsy pending to determine the circumstances surrounding the passing of a central figure in ongoing human trafficking inquiries.

Siad was under active investigation in France regarding allegations of rape and human trafficking, charges he consistently denied. His name appeared nearly 2,000 times in declassified U.S. Department of Justice documents, which detailed his role in facilitating contact between young women and Epstein. Despite the allegations, Siad had not yet been formally questioned by French investigators.

The death of Siad complicates efforts by French prosecutors to build cases against individuals accused of aiding Epstein’s criminal network. Victims and legal advocates have expressed concern that his death removes a key witness who could have provided testimony regarding the scope of the trafficking operations. Siad’s death follows the 2022 suicide of Jean-Luc Brunel, another prominent modelling agent implicated in the same investigation, further limiting the pool of potential defendants available for trial.