French Modeling Scout Daniel Siad Found Dead Amid Epstein Investigation

Daniel Siad, a 69-year-old modeling scout from France, was discovered dead in his home located in Colombes, a suburb just northwest of Paris. His name had appeared almost 2,000 times in declassified documents from the U.S. Department of Justice that relate to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a notorious figure in sex trafficking.

Authorities in France reported that a woman, aged 28, found Siad’s body in his kitchen, although they didn’t disclose her identity or their relationship. Initial reports indicated he might have suffered a cardiac arrest, and neighbors attempted CPR but were unsuccessful. The Nanterre prosecutor’s office has since launched an investigation and has ordered an autopsy to clarify the cause of death.

This incident unfolds as French magistrates were already investigating Siad for serious charges, including human trafficking and sexual violence, after multiple women accused him of rape.

Earlier this year, declassified files indicated that Siad was among the most frequent correspondents with Epstein. The documents revealed extensive communication detailing Siad’s trips throughout Eastern Europe, Sweden, Cuba, and Spain, where he allegedly sought to recruit minors and young women for Epstein, all under the pretense of assisting their modeling careers.

Although Siad had connections with another modeling figure, Jean-Luc Brunel, French prosecutors hadn’t formally interrogated or arrested him before his death, as they were still in the process of gathering evidence.

Despite the mounting scrutiny, Siad maintained his innocence through his lawyer, insisting that his dealings with Epstein were strictly professional and that he was unaware of Epstein’s illegal activities. However, various accusers and human trafficking investigators have described him as an essential part of Epstein’s global recruitment network.

The news of Siad’s passing has fueled frustration among victims and advocacy groups. Many expressed their anger that yet another individual associated with Epstein’s network has died without facing justice or giving testimony.

Siad is the second notable French fashion figure linked to Epstein to die while under investigation, following Brunel’s death in a Paris prison cell in 2022 as he awaited trial. With Siad’s passing, criminal proceedings against him will be closed, but French judicial authorities have stated that investigations into related networks will continue.