Overview
- French prosecutors said Siad’s body was discovered at his Colombes home on Monday and they opened a probe to determine the cause of death with an autopsy ordered.
- Siad had been under a preliminary investigation by the Nanterre office that handles human trafficking after several women filed complaints accusing him of rape and recruiting victims for Epstein’s circle.
- Declassified U.S. Department of Justice files show Siad’s name appears more than 1,000 times and include messages and payments that link him to Jeffrey Epstein and the forwarding of photos and profiles of young women.
- Siad’s lawyer said he died of a heart attack and that he was never formally placed under judicial proceedings, while authorities say the wider criminal inquiry will continue despite his death.
- Victims and advocates warned his death removes a likely witness and source of evidence, and the case is being viewed in light of prior high-profile deaths tied to Epstein’s network that have heightened public concern.