Epstein-linked model scout Daniel Siad found dead near Paris

Daniel Siad, a French model scout with deep ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein, was found dead at his home in Colombes, a suburb of Paris, on Monday, July 22, 2026, according to prosecutors. The 69-year-old, who had been under investigation for alleged involvement in human trafficking and sexual offenses, died before French authorities could formally question him, sparking questions about the fate of ongoing probes into Epstein’s network.

Siad’s death occurred as French investigators probed his role in connecting women to Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. Siad, who also held Swedish citizenship, had been accused of aiding Epstein in trafficking and abusing women, though he consistently denied the allegations. His lawyer, Menya Arab-Tigrine, stated he had sought to “subject himself to the grueling media spotlight… to see the truth come to light” before his death.

French prosecutors opened an investigation into the circumstances of Siad’s death, with an autopsy pending to determine the cause. While some reports suggested he may have suffered a cardiac arrest, no official findings had been released by midweek. Arab-Tigrine noted that Siad’s “unbearable waiting, the pressure and the anxiety he suffered every day” could have contributed to his death, though she emphasized his innocence.

Siad’s name appeared in over 1,000 documents from the declassified Epstein files, and in some cases, more than 2,000 times, according to reports. These records, released by the U.S. Department of Justice, included messages, financial transactions, and photographs of women he allegedly introduced to Epstein. In one email, Siad wrote: “Cute French girl in Marrakesh… She said that she will (be) happy to meet you.” He also sought a “good looking young assistant” for Epstein, describing a woman as “very polite” with “potential” as a “model” or “assistant.”

Epstein paid Siad tens of thousands of dollars, according to the files, and the two maintained a decade-long relationship. Siad claimed he believed Epstein was a “professional person” and that he had no reason to think the women he introduced to him were harmed. However, multiple women, including a Russian-born model and a Swedish woman, have accused Siad of rape and trafficking. Svetlana Pozhidaeva, a model who said Siad introduced her to Epstein, expressed frustration that his death prevented her from seeking justice. “If it wasn’t for him, my life would have unfolded completely differently,” she said.

Victims and advocates criticized French authorities for not acting sooner. Juliette G., a former French model who said Siad recruited her for Epstein, called his death a “link in the chain” lost. “Another link in the chain has disappeared that could have helped uncover the truth,” she said. Lisa Brinkworth, a former BBC journalist and advocate for abuse survivors, condemned the Paris prosecutor’s office for failing to act despite knowing Siad’s ties to Epstein. “The failure… is beyond comprehension,” she said, urging further investigations into Epstein’s network.

Siad’s death adds to a pattern of unresolved cases linked to Epstein. Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent connected to Epstein, died by suicide in a Paris jail in 2022 while awaiting trial. Epstein himself died by suicide in 2019. Both cases have raised concerns about accountability and transparency. French prosecutors continue to examine the role of modeling professionals in Epstein’s network, though Siad’s death has left gaps in the evidence.

The investigation into Siad’s death remains open, with authorities awaiting autopsy results. Meanwhile, victims and their supporters hope the case will not be left in limbo. “We worked so hard for this, trying to have justice,” said Ebba Karlsson, a Swedish model who accused Siad of rape and of introducing her to another alleged abuser. “He was very close to being arrested.”