Daniel Siad, a 69-year-old modelling scout with extensive links to Jeffrey Epstein, has been found dead at his home in Colombes, a suburb north-west of Paris. French prosecutors confirmed an investigation into the cause of death has been opened, with an autopsy to follow. Siad's death is significant because he faced multiple rape allegations in France and had never been formally questioned by police, meaning potential evidence about Epstein's network may now be lost.

Siad's name appeared thousands of times in released Epstein files, and one alleged victim told the BBC he had directly introduced her to Epstein, describing him as "essentially a professional trafficker." He consistently denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of abuse in recent media interviews, and was the subject of a BBC investigation published on 18 July. Lawyers and a former model who had given a police deposition against him said his death deprived victims of justice and closed off a crucial lead, drawing comparisons to the 2022 prison death of another Epstein associate, French agent Jean-Luc Brunel.