Virginia Giuffre died last week. Her lawyer doesn't think we have the full story.

Content warning: this article discusses suicide.

Virginia Giuffre spent years fighting to be heard. 

She was one of the first women to stand up and accuse Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, making her the face of one of the world's most high-profile sex trafficking cases. 

Giuffre never wavered — not when she was doubted, not when she was attacked, not when the stakes were enormous.

Now, at just 41, she is gone. 

Watch: Virginia Giuffre's Death: Will Prince Andrew Ever Return To Public Life. This Morning's View. Article continues after the video.

Giuffre was found unresponsive at her rural property outside Perth last Friday night. Her family released a statement that said she'd died by suicide.

But her lawyer, Perth-based barrister Karrie Louden, has said she had "big question marks".

"When I got the call, I thought, are you joking?" Louden told British newspaper The Sun. "There was no sign this was something she was considering. We've got big question marks over it."

According to Louden, Giuffre had been making plans — talking about renovating her home and thinking about the future.

Police were called to Giuffre's home after concerns about her welfare. The statement released by her family painted a picture of a woman worn down by trauma. 

"She was the light that lifted so many survivors... in the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable," it read.

But Louden's comments have reopened a public conversation, not just about how Giuffre died, but about the life she fought so hard to reclaim.

Earlier this year, Giuffre posted a harrowing photo online, showing her badly bruised face. In her post, she said she'd been in a head-on crash with a school bus, describing severe injuries, including renal failure, and that doctors had given her only days to live.

It made headlines around the globe. But Western Australian police appeared to contradict her story, saying they only received a report a day later, deeming the crash minor, with no reported injuries. 

Her 20-year marriage also ended. In February, her now-ex accused her of breaching a family violence restraining order. That matter was due to return to court in June.

Giuffre has been in the public eye ever since she accused Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell of sex trafficking her when she was just 16. One of the most explosive elements of her story was her allegation that she'd had sex with Prince Andrew three times between 1999 and 2002 – claims he vehemently denied.

In 2022, Prince Andrew paid a reported £12 million (about AU$25 million) to settle Giuffre's civil lawsuit. He didn't admit any wrongdoing, but committed to supporting victims of sex trafficking.

Her case was a turning point. Her voice gave power to others. Giuffre's death has fuelled fresh waves of online speculation.

A tweet made by Giuffre in 2019 has also resurfaced. She wrote: "In no way, shape or form am I suicidal". 

While Giuffre's lawyer doesn't claim to know what happened, she notes that Giuffre was making plans for the future.

"She was still in pain," Louden said.  "But she was talking about the future – renovations, plans, her life moving forward."

"I didn't see her in the room. I wasn't in there. The family said what the family has said but I'm not going to speculate whether it was suicide or accidental."

On April 30, her family released a note that Virginia had written prior to her death.

While early headlines referred to it as a 'final note' they have clarified that they just found the message amongst her writings. None the less, it does showcase her dedication to the cause of helping victims of sexual abuse.

In Giuffre's note, she wrote, "Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, and Brothers need to show the battle lines are drawn, and stand together to fight for the future of victims. Is protesting the answer? I don't know. But we've got to start somewhere."

Her family added, "I think it's important that the survivors know that she's with you and her voice will not be silenced. I know that it's so important, and her wish is that we continue to fight."

The story of her death may remain unclear. But the impact of her life is unquestionable.

If you or someone you know needs support, help is available:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14

• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

• Headspace: 1800 650 890

• 13YARN (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people): 13 92 76

  Feature Image: Instagram