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Daniel Siad, whose name appears nearly 2,000 times in the Epstein files, was under investigation by French authorities, but was never charged or arrested.
The French -Swedish modeling scout Daniel Siad ( 69) was found dead in his Apartment in Colombes, a suburb of Paris, on Monday July 20, 2026.
At the time of his death, Siad was the subject of a major criminal investigation involving organized human trafficking and rape linked to the Jeffrey Epstein network ( theguardian.com).
According to his defense lawyer, Siad suffered a cardiac arrest. A 28-year-old woman living with him discovered his body in the kitchen, and neighbors attempted CPR without success.
French authorities have opened an investigation and ordered an autopsy to formally confirm the cause of death.
His sudden death has caused intense frustration for victims and prosecutors, as Siad passed away just before he could be formally arrested or interrogated by the police.
The Paris Prosecutor’s Office stated that the broader trafficking investigation continues to identify other accomplices.
Siad operated for a long time as a model scout. According to investigators, he sent thousands of emails and text messages to Jeffrey Epstein containing photos and descriptions of young girls,
some as young as 15, categorized by age and physical appearance.
His name appears heavily in nearly 2,000 unsealed emails within the Epstein investigation.
He also maintained close contact with French model agent Jean-Luc Brunel, who died by suicide in a detention center in 2022.
Until his death, Siad maintained that his relationship with Epstein was strictly professional and that he had no insight into Epstein’s criminal network.
French prosecutors launched an investigation into Siad after he was accused of rape and human trafficking by at least five women.
Former Swedish model Ebba P. Karlsson came forward publicly in the Swedish newspaper Expressen, accusing Siad of raping her in southern France in 1990 after he recruited her.
Because Siad died before the legal proceedings could be completed or a formal arrest could be made, the criminal investigations against him were closed.
This has sparked strong criticism and disappointment among the victims who were hoping for legal justice.
At least 24 women came forward to French authorities as victims or witnesses regarding Siad and other suspects.
This included a high-profile complaint filed by former Swedish model Ebba Karlsson, who accused Siad of raping her in 1990.
According to reports from the BBC,
French investigators had placed Siad under special surveillance,but had not yet formally arrested or questioned him.
Siad continuously maintained his innocence, claiming his business dealings with Epstein were strictly professional.
The news of Siad’s death has sparked immense frustration among survivors and advocacy groups.
Former models who were recruited by Siad expressed deep disappointment that the slow pace of the French judicial system has permanently deprived them of a trial and legal closure
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that while criminal proceedings against Daniel Siad have terminated due to his death,
the broader investigation into organized human trafficking and conspiracy remains fully active.
Authorities are continuing to review evidence to identify all other individuals potentially involved in the trafficking ring.
Siad is the second prominent French fashion figure linked to Epstein to die before facing trial;
modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel died by suicide in a Paris prison cell in 2022 while awaiting trial for the rape of minors.
The DOJ files confirmed that Epstein paid tens of thousands of dollars directly to Siad for his continuous scouting and scheduling services.
The Paris public prosecutor’s office, led by Chief Prosecutor Laure Beccuau, opened two broad inquiries earlier in 2026 targeting individuals linked to Epstein’s trafficking ring.
Investigators identified or were contacted by 24 women who were witnesses or victims of actions allegedly committed by Siad or other co-conspirators. Police had formally interviewed 16 of them prior to Siad’s death.
According to statements reported by The New York Times, French authorities stated that the investigation had not yet yielded enough evidence to justify Siad’s immediate arrest or detention before he died.
Because French criminal action terminates upon the death of the accused, the active prosecution against Siad has effectively ended, depriving authorities of the chance to cross-examine him.
The Nanterre Judicial Court opened a standard investigation into the circumstances of his death.
Preliminary autopsy findings confirmed impaired health and traces of a prior heart attack, with no signs of external violence.
Before his death, Siad conducted interviews with French broadcasters like BFM and France TV, claiming that Epstein had “abused his trust” and that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal behavior.
Following his death, his attorney, Ménya Arab-Tigrine, asserted that “an innocent man died” and blamed the intense pressure and anxiety of the public spotlight for his fatal heart attack.