On Monday, a 69‑year‑old modelling scout, Daniel Siad, was found dead at his home in Colombes, a suburb north of Paris. The Nanterre prosecutor’s office confirmed that a post‑mortem examination would follow and an investigation into the cause of death is underway.
Siad’s name appeared thousands of times in the publicized FBI files on Jeffrey Epstein, linking him to the former financier’s alleged trafficking network. Despite the allegations, Siad’s lawyer maintains he had never been prosecuted and that his client was innocent until proven guilty.
Victims of Epstein’s network have expressed profound sorrow. One former model, whose face is protected by the BBC, described the scout as a “professional trafficker” and insisted that his death removes a key link that could have provided testimony about the network.
The timing of Siad’s death is particularly striking. It follows the fatal 2022 death of French modelling agent Jean‑Luc Brunel, who hanged himself while in custody for alleged child‑sex trafficking offences. Brunel’s death was noted for its implications on ongoing investigations.
Human rights advocates argue that the death of Siad, who had never been questioned, prevented investigators from extracting critical information. They stress that the delayed investigation sparked frustration and a feeling that justice has fallen short.
With these events, the French prosecutor’s office remains under scrutiny for perceived inaction, while victims’ groups continue to demand better protection of any remaining evidence before it disappears entirely.
