Key dates in Jeffrey Epstein abuse scandal

SYDNEY - Virginia Giuffre, who accused disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein and Britain's Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, has taken her own life at home in Western Australia, her family says.

AFP looks at the key dates in the far-reaching scandal:

- 2019: Epstein arrested - On Jul 6, 2019, Epstein, a hedge fund manager with an entourage of celebrity friends, is arrested upon return to the United States from France in a private jet and later charged with sex trafficking minors. He faced up to 45 years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors say Epstein -- who had previously been convicted in Florida of paying young girls for massages -- sexually exploited dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14, at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida between 2002 and 2005.

- Epstein suicide - On Aug 10, Epstein, who had pleaded not guilty, hanged himself at Manhattan's Metropolitan Correctional Centre. He was 66.

Two prison guards are charged with failing to monitor him properly. But his death fuels conspiracy theories that he was murdered.

Both the FBI and the US Justice Department opened probes.

- French probe - Days after Epstein's death, French prosecutors open a separate inquiry into the suspected rape and sexual abuse of minors linked to the scandal.

Epstein's sumptuous apartment near the Champs-Elysees in Paris is searched.

- Prince Andrew implicated - In November 2019, Britain's Prince Andrew, a friend of Epstein, gave a "disastrous" interview to the BBC in which he defended his ties to the disgraced financier.

Andrew denies claims he had sex with Giuffre, who alleges she was trafficked as a teenager.

Three days after the interview, Queen Elizabeth II's second son steps back from royal duties.

- 2020: Ghislaine Maxwell arrested - On July 2, 2020, Epstein's companion and former girlfriend, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, is arrested in the United States and charged with sex trafficking minors for him.

The daughter of the former British media mogul Robert Maxwell pleads not guilty and is placed in detention.

- Brunel charged - On December 17, French prosecutors imprison modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, a former close associate of Epstein, on charges of raping minors and sexual harassment.

- 2021: Embarrassing contacts - Leon Black, the head of Investment firm Apollo Global Management, steps down because of his business links with Epstein in March 2021.

In August, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said it was a "huge mistake" to socialise with Epstein.

Three months later, British bank Barclays parts company with its chief executive, Jes Staley, because of his historical ties to Epstein.

- Prince Andrew accused - In August, Giuffre lodges a complaint against Prince Andrew in New York, saying she was forced into having sex with him when she was 17 and a minor. The British police re-examine the accusations but in October say they will take no further action.

- Maxwell found guilty - On Dec 29, Maxwell was found guilty by a New York court of five counts, including the most serious charge of sex trafficking a minor.

Her lawyer says she will appeal.

- 2022: Prince Andrew settles - On Jan12, 2022, US prosecutors refuse to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit brought by Giuffre against Prince Andrew.

He is stripped the next day of his military titles.

In February, the prince settled the lawsuit for an unspecified sum, according to a court filing. The British press estimates the sum at more than 12 million pounds ($14.6 million).

As part of the agreement, the British royal will make a "substantial donation" to a charity established by Giuffre that supports sex trafficking victims.

In March the New York lawsuit is dropped.

- Brunel dies - In February, former modelling agent Brunel is found hanged in his prison cell in Paris. A probe is opened.

- Maxwell sentenced - On June 28,2022, Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in jail.

- 2025: Giuffre suicide - Giuffre takes her own life at her home in Australia, her family says in a statement, weeks after she was hospitalised following a car crash.