Daniel Siad, a model scout accused of recruiting young women internationally for Jeffrey Epstein, was found dead in his home near Paris on Monday night, French authorities confirmed to ABC News. The official cause of death has not yet been determined.
Siad, 69, was reportedly under investigation by French prosecutors for alleged trafficking ties to Epstein, as well as separate allegations of sexual crimes. His attorney, Menya Arab-Tigrine, told ABC News that Siad's death was discovered by a neighbor's sister and that she believed he had suffered a heart attack, pending an official report.
Siad's name appears in over 2,000 documents released by the U.S. Justice Department in response to the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Correspondence between Siad and Epstein, dating back to 2014, includes references to young women Siad had scouted in locations such as Sweden and Eastern Europe. In one message, Siad lamented Epstein's failure to meet potential recruits, stating, "I had 2 girls from Sweden, a Slovakian, 2 French and [redacted] the Russian." Epstein replied, "I will reimburse you of course for any expenses. Please send me the details of the girls names etc."
In subsequent messages, Siad mentioned additional potential recruits in Scandinavia and France, some as young as 15 or 17, comparing his work to that of a fisherman. Epstein, in messages from 2012 and 2014, inquired about new recruits and whether there was "anything worth coming to Paris for?"
Following the public release of the DOJ files, French authorities announced a renewed investigation into potential crimes committed in France by anyone who had aided Epstein. Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Siad had previously denied any wrongdoing in his association with Epstein and disputed rape allegations leveled against him. He had stated in interviews with French and British journalists that Epstein had deceived and exploited him, and that he believed he was recruiting women for legitimate modeling castings. He told French broadcaster BFMTV earlier this year that his dealings with Epstein were strictly professional.
Siad's attorney claimed that her client was innocent and under significant stress due to the publicity surrounding the Epstein files and the allegations against him. "Mr. Siad needed to cry out his truth and his innocence," she said. "If it is a heart attack, then stress, anxiety, and the waiting definitely played a role in his death, but I am waiting for the autopsy results to be certain of the cause of his death."
Siad's death occurred less than a week after the BBC published an account from an alleged Epstein victim, identified as "Anya," who claimed Siad introduced her to Epstein, leading to years of alleged manipulation and abuse. According to the BBC, Anya described Siad as "essentially a professional trafficker."