The son of two senior Norwegian diplomats under investigation for their connections to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has died by suicide, according to reports.
Death of Edward Juul Rod-Larsen
Edward Juul Rod-Larsen, 25, who was left $5 million (£3.67 million) in Epstein's will, was found dead in Oslo on Wednesday, Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang reported. His death comes just days after police launched a probe into his parents, diplomat Terje Rod-Larsen and Mona Juul, following the discovery of alleged links to Epstein in files released by the US Department of Justice. Neither Rod-Larsen nor Juul has been accused of any wrongdoing, and their children have never been accused or investigated.
Epstein Island Visit
According to emails screenshotted by the DOJ, the couple appears to have visited Epstein's private island, Little Saint James, with their children in 2011. In an email, Rod-Larsen thanked Epstein for the invitation, describing the island as "totally unique" and adding, "We all loved it!" He also wrote, "Mona sends a kiss."
The joint probe by Norwegian and French authorities is now underway following reports that Epstein left a total of $10 million to Edward and his twin sister, Emma, in his will. According to DOJ documents, this is the same amount Epstein left to his accomplice, sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. The family says they have not received any of the $10 million and only learned of the will through the media.
Family Statement
A statement released by the couple's lawyers, Thomas Skjelbred and John Christian Elden, blamed "months of public spotlight" triggered by speculation about their financial ties to Epstein as a contributing factor in Edward's suicide. The couple said: "Months of a public spotlight that has long since ceased to be critical, and has instead become suspicious, speculative and at times limitless. A spotlight that has not only affected two parents, but has also drawn their children involuntarily into the relentless machinery of the public." They added: "Speculating on connections is both irresponsible and undignified. Suicide is always complex. There is never one explanation, never one cause, never one blame."
Background of the Parents
Rod-Larsen served as Deputy Secretary-General of the UN, while Juul was former State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs when Edward and his sister were born. Their positions led to the siblings being labelled the 'Peace Twins'. The couple played key roles in the Oslo Accords, the Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts in the 1990s, which inspired the Tony Award-winning Broadway show, Oslo.
Juul, who most recently served as Norway's ambassador to Jordan, resigned in February after facing scrutiny over her alleged contact with Epstein. Norway's foreign ministry launched an investigation into Juul's knowledge of and contact with Epstein. She told Norwegian news agency NTB that it was "imprecise" to describe her contact with Epstein as minimal, but said the contact came about through her husband's relationship with Epstein, adding she had no independent social or professional relationship with him.
Rod-Larsen was pictured in the Epstein files holding up a phone displaying a social media page of a woman in a bikini.
