Body discovered at Paris-area home

Daniel Siad, a French model scout who reportedly introduced aspiring models to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has died at the age of 69.

According to French newspaper Le Monde, Siad was found dead at his home in the suburbs of Paris on Monday night. Authorities are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Attorney says investigation caused severe stress

Siad’s lawyer said that if he died from a heart attack, it may have been linked to the intense stress he experienced while facing ongoing investigations into his alleged ties to Epstein.

French prosecutors have been investigating Siad since February over possible involvement in human trafficking and criminal conspiracy. Officials reportedly said the investigation will continue despite his death.

According to reports, U.S. Department of Justice investigators found that Epstein had paid thousands of dollars to Siad over the years. His name also reportedly appears numerous times in files connected to the Epstein investigation.

Siad worked as a model scout and used his contacts within the fashion industry. He allegedly introduced young women to Epstein, who maintained relationships with several high-profile public figures before his death in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

Women alleged they were referred to Epstein

Two women previously told CNN that they were introduced to Epstein through Siad and later experienced abuse.

Siad denied knowingly facilitating abuse, claiming that none of the women he introduced to Epstein had ever complained to him. He also said he believed Epstein worked as a casting director with connections to Victoria’s Secret, although no evidence has been found to support that claim.

He acknowledged knowing about Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution but said he believed the legal matter had been resolved before they remained acquaintances.

Separate rape allegation also denied

Siad also faced a separate allegation from a model who accused him of rape during the 1990s. He denied that accusation.

Authorities have not announced any findings related to that allegation, and the investigation into his reported connections to Epstein was still ongoing at the time of his death.