Daniel Siad, a 69-year-old French modelling scout who had been under investigation for alleged links to Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking network, was found dead at his home outside Paris on Wednesday, according to prosecutors.
Siad was one of several French individuals accused of assisting Epstein in the trafficking and abuse of women. French authorities had opened an investigation into the cause of his death on Monday evening following the discovery of his body in Colombes, Hauts-de-Seine. An autopsy is scheduled to be performed.
Siad had not yet been questioned by investigators but had previously denied the allegations, stating he wished to provide his account of events. He faced multiple complaints, including allegations of rape, as part of an investigation by an office specializing in combating human trafficking.
His name appeared in more than 1,000 documents that were declassified as part of the Epstein files. In communications with Epstein, Siad likened his recruitment of women to fishing, writing in 2014, "In This busyness I feel like fisherman some time I cache quick, some time no fish." He maintained that Epstein, a convicted sex offender, had exploited his trust.
Born in Algeria, Siad allegedly worked as a pimp for Epstein from the early 2000s until 2017, scouting models internationally. In 2022, a French woman informed the police that Siad had introduced her to Epstein. In May, Siad told French media that he had connected young women with Epstein, but asserted that Epstein always presented himself professionally as a casting director for Victoria's Secret.
Siad told CNN last month that he trusted Epstein and had only a business relationship with him, stating, "I trust in him, I believe him. This guy is a professional person - he needs somebody. He knows I have good connections around. If I find the right person who can assist him, I am honoured."
He admitted to visiting Epstein's Paris apartment but claimed these visits were solely for business meetings. "Each time I presented him with models, and I left with the models," Siad stated. "I only had professional relations with him. I don’t know his private life."
Another modelling agent, Jean-Luc Brunel, was arrested by French authorities in 2020 on allegations of procuring women for Epstein. Brunel was found dead in prison in 2022. Epstein himself died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges.