Model Scout Daniel Siad, Linked to Epstein, Found Dead in France on July 22

Daniel Siad, a 69-year-old French model recruiter who spent over a decade arranging meetings between women and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was found dead at his home in Colombes, a Paris suburb, on Monday. An autopsy will determine the cause of death. Siad was under investigation by French prosecutors for rape and human trafficking allegations, which he denied. His name appeared in nearly 2,000 declassified U.S. Department of Justice documents related to Epstein.

Who was Daniel Siad and what did he do

Siad worked as a model scout and traveled globally to find women for the modeling industry and to connect with Epstein. He compared his recruitment efforts to fishing, writing in a 2014 email to Epstein: “In This busyness I feel like fisherman some time I cache quick, some time no fish.” Siad was well connected in the modeling world and worked on commission for Jean-Luc Brunel, a leading agent in Paris, New York, and Miami for over four decades. Files released by the Department of Justice show Epstein paid tens of thousands of dollars to Siad. Even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction on sex crimes, Siad continued seeking business ventures with him and invited him to fashion events.

What allegations did Siad face

At least five women accused Siad of rape and human trafficking, allegations he denied. Multiple women told CNN that Siad connected them to Epstein, who then abused them. Siad maintained that Epstein had deceived him and that he had no reason to know the sex offender was dangerous. In a June interview with CNN, Siad said he trusted Epstein and believed he was a professional person. He claimed Epstein assured him he had paid for his crimes and that “this would never happen with anybody” Siad referred to him.

Status of the French investigation

French prosecutors launched a broad investigation in February into Epstein-related allegations of human trafficking and criminal conspiracy. So far, 24 women have come forward or been identified following a review of information and a call for victims by prosecutors. At least 16 women have been interviewed by investigators and additional interviews are due to take place. Siad had not yet been formally questioned or arrested. His lawyer, Menya Arab-Tigrine, said Siad died an innocent man and suggested stress from the investigation may have contributed to his death if it was a heart attack.

Connection to other Epstein associates

Siad is the second man publicly linked to Epstein who has died in France. Jean-Luc Brunel, the modeling agent Siad worked for, killed himself in prison in February 2022 after spending 14 months in custody awaiting trial on charges of rape of minors and sexual harassment, which he denied. Epstein himself died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. The Paris Public Prosecutor’s office said investigations into Epstein-related crimes would continue despite Siad’s death.

Final Thoughts

Siad’s death removes a key figure from the ongoing French investigation into Epstein’s trafficking network, but prosecutors say their probe will continue. The case underscores how Epstein’s abuse extended across continents through networks of enablers, many of whom faced legal consequences years after his crimes.

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