Daniel Siad, a 69-year-old former model scout, was found dead in his Paris home on Monday. Paris prosecutors had been investigating Siad for allegations of rape and human trafficking. The investigation began after Siad's name appeared in U.S. Department of Justice documents related to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
Siad denied all allegations against him. His attorney, Menya Arab-Tigrine, stated that Siad had consistently asserted his innocence and suggested that the stress of the investigation may have contributed to his death. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the official cause of death.
Prior to his death, Siad had worked as a recruiter for Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent and associate of Epstein. Brunel died in a Paris prison in 2022 while awaiting trial on sex crime charges. Ebba Karlsson, a former model who accused Siad of rape, told the AFP news agency that his death prevents his accusers from seeking a judicial resolution.
The Paris prosecutor's office stated that while the public prosecution against Siad has been terminated due to his death, the broader investigation into sex trafficking networks linked to Epstein remains active. The office continues to review evidence to identify other individuals potentially involved in the matter.