Model in Epstein files killed herself after visiting 'paedo island' at age 18
A successful young model nicknamed the 'Russian Rapunzel', who took her own life just two years after visiting Jeffrey Epstein's 'paedophile island' at the age of 18, was named in the recent batch of bombshell documents, it has been revealed.
Ruslana Korshunova, an upcoming Kazakh-Russian model, has been named in Epstein's flight logs for his private Boeing 727 aircraft, dubbed the 'Lolita Express'. The then-18-year-old is said to have flown from New York with Epstein and other friends to his private island Little St James in the US Virgin Islands, known by locals as 'paedophile island'.
Ruslana was a star of the catwalk and had even appeared as the face of Nina Ricci perfume. But just two years after her visit to the disgraced financier's island, she jumped to her death from her Manhattan apartment building at age 20.
READ MORE: Jeffrey Epstein 'bragged about phone calls with A-list stars' during massage
Ruslana was nicknamed the Russian Barbie (Thomas Concordia/WireImage.com)
Ruslana's modelling career began after she was spotted in an airline magazine by a scout (NY Daily News via Getty Images)In the days after the model's death, Virginia Giuffre, who has been one of the most outspoken victims, was asked about Ruslana. In an email unsealed on Thursday night, Ms Giuffre was asked in an email from Florida-based attorney Brad Edwards whether she knew Ruslana in May 2011.
Fuming Susanna Reid shuts down interview with Prince Andrew's ex over wild claim
Ms Giuffre was asked by Mr Edwards, who served as her PR, about Ruslana, who he said had been to a private island with a wealthy male admirer. Ruslana flew to 'paedophile island' in June 2006, however, it's unclear what happened to her when she was there.
Epstein is known to have flown young women and girls to his private Caribbean bolthole, with employees at an airport in the US Virgin Islands saying in 2019 they often saw Epstein with young girls, some of whom appeared to be minors. Many of these young women came forward to say they were sexually exploited by Epstein and other men during their time on the island, with some claiming to have spent months imprisoned on the island, accessible only by boat or plane, where they were raped up to three times a day.
Jeffrey Epstein's former home on the island of Little St James in the US Virgin Islands (TNS)"I think it's a long shot you would recognise her, but read the article I attached and then look at the pictures and see if you recognise her," Mr Edwards wrote in his email to Ms Giuffre. He had attacked a Newsweek article reporting on the model's tragic death.
Ms Giuffre replied: "I am so sorry to hear the news of Ruslana, and my condolences are with her family and friends. I can say that I have never had any meetings with her, sorry not to be of any help there."
Ruslana's death, appearance in Epstein's flight logs and apparent membership of a cult raised fears that the young model had been badly exploited. The exchange between Ms Giuffre and Mr Edwards came to light on Thursday as documents from Ms Giuffre's defamation case against Epstein's girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell were released.
Virginia Giuffre was asked whether she knew Ruslana in newly released documents (BBC)The release of the documents came after a judge in Manhattan ruled there was no longer any justification for keeping the files secret. Flight logs showed Ruslana on board the 'Lolita Express' on June 7, 2006, along with Epstein.
Ruslana was born in Kazakhstan to Russian parents, and her modelling journey began when she was scouted after the fall of the USSR. She was spotted by a model scout in an airline magazine article in which she described her teenage quest to learn German.
As a result, Ruslana was thrust into the jet-setting life of a model at a young age, gaining a large fanbase. But she was jilted repeatedly by wealthy men, who would dazzle her with their riches before then leaving her.
Jeffrey Epstein, left, with girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, right, who helped recruit young and beautiful women for his pleasure (Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)While it's unclear how she and Epstein came to cross paths, his right-hand woman, British socialist Ghislaine Maxwell, was known to recruit glamourous young women for her partner. Epstein was also known to offer help with visas for young women who came to work for him, though Ruslana's visa status is not known.
By the mid-2000s, Ruslana was living in Manhattan's Financial District. She burst onto the scene during New York Fashion Week in 2005, earning a coveted spot modelling for Marc Jacobs.
Ghislaine Maxwell hires Weinstein's lawyer days after he's jailed for more years
The Kazakh-Russian beauty also appeared in campaigns for Kenzo, Clarins and Paul Smith. She had a portfolio stuffed with modelling assignments for Vera Wang, Donna Karan and Christian Dior, and had featured on the covers of Russian Vogue and French Elle.
Ruslana joined an extreme self-help group after her modelling career took a knock (Biasion Studio/WireImage.com)
Ruslana enjoyed international success after bursting onto the scene in a Marc Jacobs show (Randy Brooke/WireImage.com)In 2006, when she's listed as having travelled on Epstein's jet, Ruslana's career was at its peak. That winter, she was set to be the cover star for The New York Times style magazine. But two years after the height of her fame and her trip on the 'Lolita Express', Ruslana would be dead.
No further details on the up-and-coming model's time with Epstein emerged, and it's unclear if he contributed to the spiral that saw her jump to her death from a ninth-storey balcony. She had also joined an extreme self-help group in Russia, which many critics have slammed as a cult.
Ruslana joined the group after her skyrocketing modelling career faltered, seeking help from 'coaches' who would humiliate and blame members for the wrongs in their lives. She had fallen for an oligarch, who then dumped her and left her brokenhearted, according to author and academic Peter Pomerantsev, who wrote a book on Ruslana's journey.
Ruslana's body was found in the street beneath her Manhattan apartment (NY Daily News via Getty Images)She returned to New York City from Moscow, where she then fell in love with a Russian luxury car dealer But he left too.
So, Ruslana took solace, according to Mr Pomerantsev, in the extreme self help group. Named Rose of the World, the group had a reputation for its "dehumanising" treatment of followers. But not long after signing up for one of their courses, which reportedly cost more than $300 a day, Ruslana was found dead on the street.
Epstein was jailed in July 2019, killing himself a month later in August before his federal trial began. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for her part after being found guilty of sex trafficking.
The people listed in the Epstein files were those named as associates of Epstein and there is no suggestion those listed either knew about his crimes or participated in any criminal behaviour.
Prince Andrew has been named dozens of times in the files. The documents – part of a case against Epstein’s girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell – have thrust Andrew back into the spotlight. They do not reveal any major new allegations about Prince Andrew, Epstein or his associates.
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website. If in the United States, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
