The Paris prosecutor’s office reported that a model agent close to Jeffrey Epstein (a disgraced U.S. financial financier) was killed Saturday while being held in France in connection with an investigation into the sexual exploitation of minors, and the rape of minors.

Victims who suffered the alleged abuse were shocked and disappointed that Jean-Luc Brunel was never charged with any crime. After Epstein was arrested on sex-trafficking charges, he committed suicide inside a Manhattan prison.

The Paris Police are currently investigating Brunel’s death according to the prosecutor’s Office. Brunel’s death circumstances were not publicized and Brunel lawyers declined to comment.

Brunel said that Brunel had not committed any wrongdoings and told his lawyer that it was okay to speak with investigators. Brunel’s legal counsel had complained repeatedly about his conditions in detention, and they sought to release him pending trial.

Brunel (in his 70s) was detained by Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport as part a French probe into the U.S. allegations of Epstein’s sex-trafficking.

Brunel, a frequent companion to Epstein was considered central in the French investigation into the alleged sexual exploitation by a U.S. financier circle and others of girls. Epstein was often in France, and he had Paris apartments.

Numerous victims identified by police have spoken out to police about their experiences since 2019, when the French probe opened. They sometimes expressed disappointment at the slow progress of the investigation.

ThysiaHuisman said that Brunel’s news sent her into shock.

Huisman was a Dutch ex-model who claimed she was raped as a teen by Brunel. For me, this meant that the ending of all this had to take place in court. And now that whole ending — which would help form closure — is taken away from me.”

Anne-Claire Lejeune (a lawyer for Huisman) said that other victims feel the same.

She told The Associated Press, “Great disappointment and great frustration that victims won’t receive justice.”

Brunel’s central role in the case meant that she was unsure if the investigation will lead to a trial. Brunel’s suicide has raised concerns about the possibility that Brunel’s accusers will not be officially recognized as victims.

Huisman explained, “To reconstruct yourself (after abuse), this is one of our essential steps.”

She expressed her hope that Brunel’s demise won’t stop women speaking out about sexual abuse. It was a combination of a growing awareness and an increasing number of French women being convicted for sexual misconduct, that has made it possible for “liberated” to discuss the matter with other women. This is a hard step, and it takes courage.

Virginia Roberts Giuffre is Epstein’s principal accuser. She claims that Brunel sex-procured minors with Epstein, and others, promising them modeling work.

Britain’s Prince Andrew has agreed to settle the case where Giuffre had accused him of sexual abuse at 17 years old. Guiffre alleges that she was sold to Andrew through Epstein. Andrew strongly denies the allegations. Andrew settled with Guiffre and agreed to make Giuffre’s charity a significant donation. This avoids the need for a trial.