Model scout investigated for Epstein trafficking ties found dead in France

Daniel Siad, 69, was reportedly under investigation by French prosecutors.

A model scout who allegedly recruited young women internationally for Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his home outside Paris on Monday night, French authorities confirmed to ABC News. An official cause of death has not been determined.

Daniel Siad, 69, was reportedly under investigation by French prosecutors for trafficking tied to the late sex offender and for separate allegations of sexual crimes.

His attorney, Menya Arab-Tigrine, told ABC News that Siad's death was discovered by the sister of a neighbor. The attorney said she believed Siad had suffered a heart attack but was waiting for an official report.

Siad's name appears more than 2,000 times in records released by the U.S. Justice Department in response to the Epstein Files Transparency Act . His correspondence with Epstein often contained references to young women he had scouted -- in Sweden, Eastern Europe and elsewhere -- that he thought would be of interest to Epstein.

"I had 2 girls from Sweden, a Slovakian, 2 French and [redacted] the Russian," Siad wrote in a July 2014 message to Epstein , lamenting that Epstein had failed to show up to meet them as planned.

"I will reimburse you of course for any expenses," Epstein wrote in reply. "Please send me the details of the girls names etc."

In a follow-up message, Siad mentioned additional potential recruits in Scandinavia and France who were between the ages of 15 and 17. He likened his work to that of a fisherman.

"In This busyness I feel like fisherman some time I cache quick , some time no fish," Siad wrote in a typo-filled message.

Since the DOJ files were made public earlier this year, French authorities announced a renewed investigation into any potential crimes committed in France by anyone who had abetted Epstein.

Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in August 2019.

Siad had denied wrongdoing in connection to his work with Epstein and disputed allegations of rape leveled against him. He recently stated in interviews with French and British journalists that Epstein had deceived him and exploited his trust. Siad said he believed he was recruiting women for legitimate model castings and that Epstein was a professional who worked with Victoria's Secret and MC2 modeling

He told French broadcaster BFMTV earlier this year that his dealings with Epstein were strictly professional.

The DOJ documents show Epstein at times eagerly seeking more information about Siad's recruiting results.

"Wht about new girls?," Epstein wrote in a 2012 message .

"anything worth coming to paris for?," he asked in another message to Siad in 2014.

Arab-Tigrine said that Siad had offered to speak with French authorities but that the outreach was rebuffed. She claimed her client was innocent and under intense stress due to the publicity surrounding the Epstein files and separate allegations against Siad.

"Mr. Siad needed to cry out his truth and his innocence," she told ABC News. "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 comes less than a week after the BBC published a detailed story about an alleged Epstein victim, who was identified by the pseudonym "Anya." According to the article, Anya had alleged that Siad had introduced her to Epstein, which she claimed led to years of manipulation and abuse by Epstein.

She described Siad as "essentially a professional trafficker," according to the BBC.

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