Jean-Luc Brunel: Here's everything we know about the sex criminal

French modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, a long-time acquaintance of infamous financier Jeffrey Epstein, was found dead in his prison cell. The 75-year-old was put under formal investigation in France in late June 2021 for the rape of a minor. He was accused of rape by numerous previous top models, which he had rejected.

In December 2020, Brunel was arrested at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on charges of rape and sexual assault of a minor. He has cases against him for sexual harassment, criminal associations, and human trafficking to the detriment of minor victims for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

Who is Jean-Luc Brunel?

Jean-Luc Brunel is thought to have been a major part of Epstein's inner circle, having been described as the paedo multimillionaire's best pal and pimp. Brunel is sure to take many of Epstein's and his heinous trafficking ring's secrets to his grave. Brunel was reportedly questioned after his detention about his supposed ties to several people. This is said to involve Epstein, as well as friends of the late pervert financier, such as Maxwell and Andrew.

Brunel denied involvement directly or indirectly in any of Epstein's crimes. Virginia, an Epstein claims Brunel farmed out modelling aspirants to the paedo, as well as other men, for sex. She also claims she was compelled to have sex with Brunel at Epstein's house. And said that he once staged a photoshoot with seven Russian girls in front of Prince Andrew.

Virginia stated in court documents filed in August 2019 that Brunel was one of the men Maxwell directed her to have sex with while she was still a teenager.

His association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell

In a 2015 affidavit, Virginia alleged Epstein boasted of having slept with over 1,000 of Brunel's females. Brunel met Jeffrey Epstein through a mutual friend, Ghislaine Maxwell, whom he had known since the 1980s. He's seen cavorting with Maxwell and hanging out with Epstein, and the trio is thought to be close.

At Maxwell's trial, a photograph of him was shown, showing him reclining by the paedo while the Brit caressed his feet. He is accused of flying three sisters, aged 12 and 13, from a Paris housing estate to America so Epstein could abuse them as a birthday present.

At least 25 journeys on Epstein's private plane are known to have been taken by the fashion mogul. He was a frequent visitor to the paedo's detention centre in 2008, paying at least 70 visits.

Brunel, a heavy cocaine user, notoriously justified his drug usage by claiming that it was alright because he didn't use it during the day and only at night. Many of Brunel's alleged misdeeds are said to have occurred in an Epstein-owned Paris apartment, which is located near the Arc de Triomphe. In 2019, French investigators raided the headquarters of Brunel's modelling agency, Karin Models. In 2004, Epstein paid Brunel up to a million dollars to help him create MC2 Model Management, his new modelling business.