An Epstein Whistleblower Just Died by Suicide. He's Not the First

Simon Andriesz, a former British banker who uncovered evidence of business dealings between Howard Lutnick and Jeffrey Epstein, has died by suicide at 57.

His death follows those of several people connected to Epstein, including accusers and business associates.

Their roles and the circumstances of their deaths differ, and speculation surrounding some cases does not establish foul play.

The Lutnick Connection

Andriesz had served as a managing director at BGC Group, the Wall Street firm previously led by Lutnick, now the U.S. commerce secretary.

His financial markets career spanned more than 35 years.

He told the BBC he had found a 2018 email exchange about a startup in which both Lutnick and Epstein were involved.

Andriesz said the correspondence pointed to a business relationship Lutnick had not disclosed.

The findings featured in a July broadcast of the BBC’s File on 4 Investigates, titled The Epstein Files: Lutnick, the Royals and the British Whistleblower.

Lutnick had already acknowledged in February that he visited Epstein’s island in 2012, contradicting his earlier account that he had severed contact years before.

“We had lunch on the island. That is true. For an hour,” Lutnick told the Senate Appropriations Committee.

He said the visit took place during a family vacation, accompanied by his wife, children and nannies.

Lutnick has condemned Epstein’s conduct and expressed support for survivors of his crimes.

The Cost of Coming Forward

Andy Agathangelou, founder of the campaigning organization Transparency Task Force, confirmed Andriesz’s death.

“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Simon Andriesz, a valued member of our community, passed away last week,” he said.

Following the BBC broadcast, Andriesz addressed a Transparency Task Force event about what he regarded as the U.K. regulator’s poor treatment of whistleblowers.

He described damage to his career, health and family life from speaking out.

Other Deaths Connected to Epstein

Virginia Giuffre, one of the most prominent public accusers of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, died at 41 in Western Australia in April 2025.

Her family said she died by suicide, and police regarded the death as non-suspicious. Her father subsequently questioned that account.

Carolyn Andriano, another Epstein accuser who gave evidence at Maxwell’s trial, died at 36 in May 2023. Her death was reported as an accidental drug overdose.

Deaths among Epstein’s associates include Jean-Luc Brunel, the French modeling agent accused of recruiting girls for him.

Brunel died in custody in February 2022 while facing charges involving the rape of minors.

Prosecutors and a prison inquiry concluded that he died by suicide; no foul play was established.

Mark Middleton, a former Clinton White House aide who arranged multiple Epstein visits recorded in White House logs, died in May 2022.

Authorities classified his death as suicide.

Steven Hoffenberg, Epstein’s former partner at Towers Financial, was found dead in August 2022.

An autopsy found no trauma, while the initial reports left the cause pending toxicology results.

Former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, who denied allegations made against him by Giuffre, died in his sleep at 75 in September 2023.

Daniel Siad, a modeling scout mentioned extensively in the released Epstein files, was found dead near Paris in July 2026.

He had denied allegations under investigation in France and had not been charged. His lawyer attributed the death to a heart attack; prosecutors said an autopsy would establish the cause.

Epstein himself died in federal custody in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. The medical examiner ruled his death a suicide.

A subsequent Justice Department inspector general investigation documented serious jail failures but did not overturn that finding.