A modelling scout whose name appeared extensively in the Jeffrey Epstein files has been found dead in France while under investigation over multiple allegations. His death ends the possibility of investigators questioning him, leaving alleged victims fearing crucial evidence may never be uncovered.
A modelling scout whose name was closely linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been found dead at his home in France, bringing an abrupt end to a criminal investigation that alleged victims hoped would uncover more details about Epstein’s international network.
Daniel Siad, 69, was discovered on Monday at his residence in Colombes, a suburb northwest of Paris, according to the Nanterre prosecutor’s office.
French authorities have opened an investigation to determine the cause of his death, while a post-mortem examination has been ordered.
No official cause of death has been announced.
Siad’s name appeared thousands of times in documents related to Epstein that were released by the US government.
Although he acknowledged knowing Epstein, Siad consistently denied being aware of the financier’s sexual abuse of young women and girls.
In recent interviews, he insisted he believed Epstein was a legitimate businessman and said he had no knowledge of any criminal activity.
His lawyer, Ménya Arab-Tigrine, said Siad had never been formally prosecuted despite facing several complaints in France, including allegations of rape.
“He is dead, and he was innocent,” she said in a statement.
However, several women have publicly accused Siad of playing a key role in introducing young models to Epstein.
One alleged victim, identified only as Anya, previously told the BBC that Siad introduced her to Epstein, describing the encounter as carefully orchestrated.
“It was a complete set-up,” she said, accusing Siad of acting as “essentially a professional trafficker.”
Documents released from the Epstein files also included emails exchanged between Siad and Epstein.
In one message, Siad compared his work to that of a fisherman, writing in broken English that sometimes he “caught” quickly and other times found “no fish.”
The comments have drawn renewed scrutiny following his death.
French prosecutors first opened an investigation into Siad earlier this year after several women filed complaints accusing him of sexual offences.
He denied every allegation.
In interviews with French media, Siad insisted he had “never raped anyone” and rejected claims that he knowingly recruited women for exploitation.
His death has left alleged victims and their legal representatives deeply frustrated.
Lawyers representing one former model said they were “stunned” by the news, arguing that the investigation had moved far too slowly and denied victims the opportunity to confront Siad in court.
They also criticised French prosecutors, accusing authorities of failing to act quickly despite announcing months earlier that they would investigate alleged French associates of Jeffrey Epstein.
Another woman who recently gave evidence to investigators told the BBC that Siad’s death could permanently erase valuable information about Epstein’s wider network.
She said investigators never had the opportunity to formally question him, warning that an important source of evidence may now be lost forever.
Anne-Claire Le Jeune, a lawyer representing six women who filed complaints against Siad, said her clients had shown extraordinary courage by coming forward despite his connections to Epstein.
She described it as deeply regrettable that the investigation had not progressed quickly enough to allow police to question or detain him before his death.
The case also recalls the death of another French modelling agent linked to Epstein.
In 2022, Jean-Luc Brunel was found dead in his prison cell in Paris while awaiting trial on allegations including the rape and trafficking of minors for sexual exploitation.
Brunel denied all accusations before his death.
Brunel founded MC2 Model Management with financial backing from Epstein and was accused by investigators of helping recruit and transport young women for Epstein’s abuse network.
Epstein himself died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
With Siad’s death, investigators face the possibility that another significant witness connected to Epstein’s network has been lost before being fully questioned, leaving alleged victims fearing that key pieces of the truth may never be uncovered.
