Modeling Scout Linked to Epstein Found Dead Amid Investigations

A modeling scout known for recruiting women for Jeffrey Epstein has been discovered dead at his residence near Paris, according to French authorities. Daniel Siad, 69, was under investigation by prosecutors targeting human trafficking and faced serious allegations, including rape. His name surfaced in over a thousand documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice concerning Epstein earlier this year. Siad was among multiple French men implicated in aiding Epstein in trafficking and abusing women. Although he had not yet been interrogated by investigators, he had denied the accusations, expressing a desire to provide his version of events. His body was found at his home on Monday evening, prompting an investigation into his death, alongside plans for an autopsy to ascertain the cause. Traveling globally, Siad scoured villages in Eastern Europe and flown to locations such as Cuba and Sweden in search of women for the modeling industry, while also looking for candidates he believed Epstein might be interested in. He once likened his recruitment efforts to fishing, highlighting that success in his work required patience. In a 2014 email to Epstein, he wrote, "In this busyness, I feel like a fisherman; sometimes I catch quick, sometimes no fish." Documents unveiled during the investigations indicate that Siad maintained regular communication with Epstein, receiving wired payments for expenses incurred during his search for women. Well-networked in the modeling industry, Siad also acted as a scout for Jean-Luc Brunel, a prominent agent who took his own life in prison in February 2022, after being held for charges of sexual offenses involving minors, which he had denied, including any role in Epstein’s trafficking operations. Epstein himself died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges. Earlier this year, Swedish model Ebba Karlsson accused Siad of rape, claiming he scouted her in her hometown of Stockholm when she was 20 and later assaulted her in France. Siad, then using a different name, was only identified by Karlsson after she recognized him from images related to the Epstein case. Karlsson had no interactions with Epstein but filed criminal allegations of rape and human trafficking against Siad in Paris. Siad’s lawyer stated that he denied the allegations. Karlsson expressed frustration in response to the news of Siad’s death, stating, "He was very close to being arrested. We worked so hard for this trying to have justice." Siad’s regular contact with Epstein included supplying details about the young women he recruited. In a 2009 email, he mentioned focusing on scouting in Slovakia, citing 45 women he intended to meet. His correspondence included a promise of a 'great surprise' upon Epstein’s visit to Paris. As late as 2016, he was still actively reaching out to Epstein, highlighting his ongoing involvement. Epstein’s emails inquired about new women, often referencing them by nationality rather than name, emphasizing aspects like youthfulness. Siad self-identified as French-Algerian with Swedish citizenship and stated in a televised interview earlier this year that he believed he had acted professionally throughout his dealings with the women he scouted. He maintained he had not unknowingly introduced Epstein to any abused individuals, claiming a level of naivety regarding Epstein's character at the time. The Department of Justice files suggest that the FBI was first alerted to Siad’s collaboration with Epstein in 2016, and in February, French prosecutors announced the formation of a dedicated team of magistrates to analyze evidence from the files, which referenced several French nationals, including Brunel. For individuals affected by issues of rape or sexual abuse, various support organizations are available, including Rape Crisis in the UK and Rainn in the U.S., among others. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3