Modelling scout and suspected Epstein pimp is found dead at his Paris home after name appeared more than a thousand times in declassified files

By PERKIN AMALARAJ, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 11:13, 22 July 2026 | Updated: 11:29, 22 July 2026 A French modelling scout with close ties to the late US financier Jeffrey Epstein has been found dead at his home outside Paris, prosecutors said on Wednesday. Under investigation in France, Daniel Siad, 69, was one of several French men accused of aiding Epstein to traffic and abuse women. Siad had not yet been questioned by investigators, but had denied the allegations, saying he wanted to be heard and give his version of events. 'An investigation to determine the cause of death was opened on Monday evening following the discovery', the Nanterre prosecutor's office said. An autopsy will be carried out as part of the probe, after he was found dead in his home in Colombes, Hauts-de-Seine.  Facing several complaints, including allegations of rape, Siad was the subject of an investigation conducted by the office specialising in combating human trafficking. Siad's name appeared in more than 1,000 documents released as part of the declassified Epstein files. He likened his efforts to recruit women to fishing. Daniel Siad, 69, (pictured) was one of several French men accused of aiding Epstein to traffic and abuse women Siad claimed before his death that he only knew Jeffrey Epstein (pictured) in a professional capacity  'In This busyness I feel like fisherman some time I cache quick, some time no fish,' Siad wrote to Epstein in 2014. Siad had insisted that the American convicted sex offender had 'taken advantage of his trust.' Born in Algeria, he allegedly acted as a pimp for Epstein, working with him from the early 2000s to 2017.  He scouted models from across the world. In 2022, a French woman told police how she had been caught in Epstein's grasp after Siad introduced her to the paedophile financier.  And in May, Siad told French media that he knew and connected young women to Epstein.  Despite this, he claimed that Epstein always presented himself in a professional manner as a casting director for Victoria's Secret.  He told CNN last month he always 'trusted' Epstein and only had a business relationship with him.  Siad claimed: 'I trust in him, I believe him. This guy is a professional person -he needs somebody. He knows I have good connections around.  Jeffrey Epstein (pictured, centre, with two unknown women) was infamous for controlling the women in his life Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell seen in an undated photo 'If I find the right person who can assist him, I am honoured.'  The now-dead model scout said that he visited Epstein's £10million Paris flat, nicknamed Avenue Foch, but only went for business meetings.  He claimed: 'Each time I presented him with models, and I left with the models. 'I only had professional relations with him. I don’t know his private life.'  French authorities in 2020 arrested modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel after allegations he procured women for the US billionaire. He was found dead in prison in 2022. Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.