"Good morning. I have just learned that Daniel Siad has died. Apparently he had a heart attack. It is completely insane," Virginie Vilar, a well-known reporter for French television channel France 2, said in a voice message about the recruiter of girls for US sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein.

She sent it to the teams of Dennik N and Heroine magazine, which is documenting Epstein's crimes in our region, on Wednesday morning (22 July) - several hours before the news spread around the world.

Vilar has spent almost 10 years uncovering Epstein's network in France, of which Siad is alleged to have been a part.

The news affected many victims. They realised that they may no longer receive justice.

Investigation only recently opened in France

Former Swedish model Ebba P. Karlsson, whom Siad sexually assaulted, was the first person to file a criminal complaint against him for rape.

She did so only on 10 February 2026. For many years she did not know the identity of this French modelling scout of Algerian origin. However she found his name in the published investigative files known as the Epstein files, which US authorities released in February.

On the basis of her testimony the French prosecutor's office also began looking into Siad.

Through his lawyer Siad rejected her allegations. He also denied knowingly assisting sexual violence or human trafficking within Epstein's network.

Siad told French broadcaster France TV that Epstein had abused his trust. He said he had not been in a position to know what danger Epstein posed to girls.

However published communications between Epstein and his close associate - the world-renowned modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel - suggest that Siad too belonged to the group of predators.

In the messages they repeatedly expressed concern about Siad's manner of communication, impulsiveness and uncontrolled emotions.

The public learned about Siad's cooperation with other influential men mainly from the testimonies of former models.

Criminal proceedings against Siad end with his death

Siad died on Monday (20 July), aged 69, at his home in the Hauts-de-Seine department near Paris. The French prosecutor's office released the information on Wednesday. The reported cause of death was a heart attack.

"We opened an investigation into the circumstances of Daniel Siad's death immediately after his body was found at the house," the prosecutor's office said. An autopsy was also ordered.

"An innocent died," Siad's lawyer, Menya Arab-Tigrine, told AFP. According to her, Siad had sought the opportunity to testify and present his own version of events. "And the justice system did nothing," she added.