Daniel Siad, a French modelling scout with significant connections to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, has been discovered deceased in his residence near Paris. The 69-year-old was found on Monday evening, and the cause of death remains undetermined. The Nanterre prosecutor’s office has confirmed that an autopsy will be conducted to establish the conditions surrounding his death.
Siad’s attorney, Menya Arab-Tigrine, expressed her belief that he may have succumbed to a heart attack, suggesting that the intense media scrutiny surrounding him may have contributed to his health decline. In a statement to PEOPLE, Arab-Tigrine described the “unbearable wait” and “public disgrace” faced by Siad and his loved ones as exacerbating factors. She asserted that this ongoing pressure and anguish likely took a toll on his wellbeing, although the final determination must come from the autopsy results.
The nature of Siad’s involvement with Epstein has drawn considerable attention, as his name features prominently in the so-called Epstein Files, released by the U.S. Department of Justice. These files detail numerous emails exchanged between Siad and Epstein, frequently discussing Siad’s work scouting models across Europe. Alarmingly, some of the individuals mentioned in these communications were underage. Among the documents is an email from Siad to Epstein dated April 2009 in which he forwarded a photograph of a 17-year-old Slovakian girl he had been scouting in Bratislava.
The extent of Siad’s association with Epstein continued until at least 2018, according to the available records. A victim of Epstein has previously claimed that Siad was responsible for introducing her to the financier, heightening the gravity of his connections.
In the wake of the allegations that have arisen, Siad publicly maintained that his collaborations with Epstein were purely professional and insisted he was unaware of the financier’s personal life. Over the years, he faced serious accusations from multiple women, including allegations of rape and human trafficking. Siad, however, consistently denied these claims, with his lawyer stating that he had never been prosecuted or held accountable for any wrongdoing.
Arab-Tigrine emphasised the presumption of innocence in her comments following Siad’s passing, noting that he had never faced legal repercussions for his actions. She asserted, “He is dead, and he was innocent,” reinforcing a narrative of unfair tarnishing of his reputation in the public eye.
Siad is the second individual involved in the modelling industry with deep ties to Epstein to die under troubling circumstances. In 2022, Jean-Luc Brunel, regarded as a close associate of Epstein, was found dead in a French prison cell after being charged with the sexual assault of minors. His death, declared as a suicide, followed Epstein’s own apparent suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019, where he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
As investigations continue into both Siad’s death and his connections to Epstein, the modelling industry is once again faced with questions regarding the safety and protection of young models. The emerging details surrounding Siad’s life and death may prompt further scrutiny and discussion on systemic issues within the fashion world.
This incident underscores the profound and lingering impact of Epstein’s infamous legacy, not only on the victims of his crimes but also on individuals in his orbit. As more information comes to light, the conversations surrounding accountability and reform within industries that have historically been associated with exploitation may gain renewed urgency.