Sky News abruptly pulls Pope Francis funeral coverage for breaking news

Sky News abruptly paused coverage of Pope Francis’ funeral for some troubling breaking news this morning (April 26). Around 200,000 mourners have been flocking to Rome to pay their respects to the pontiff, who died on Easter Monday after a long hospital stay with severe respiratory complications.

But Sky halted its live coverage to issue the heartbreaking announcement that Virginia Giuffre has died at the age of just 41. Giuffre accused Prince Andrew of sexual assault, which he denies, and alleged she was part of a sex trafficking ring run by Jeffrey Epstein. Now she has reportedly taken her own life.

Breakfast presenter Anna Jones explained that the network would have “full coverage” of the Pope’s funeral, but told viewers: “But first, our top story. Virginia Giuffre, the woman who accused Prince Andrew of sexual assault, has died at the age of 41.

“In a statement given to our US partner NBC News, Ms Giuffre’s family said she took her own life. They said: ‘It is with utterly broken hearts that we announce that Virginia passed away last night at her farm in Western Australia.

“She lost her life to suicide after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She was the light that lifted so many survivors.

“In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight.”

Anna was joined by correspondent Matthew Thompson in the studio, who added: “In recent months it seems she had become estranged from her husband and her children as well. Just a few weeks ago there was a widely shared Instagram post in which she said she’d been in a car accident that had left her with a few days to live.

“The circumstances of that seemed to be slightly questioned by Australian authorities, who said the accident hadn’t been that serious. Then here we are three weeks later with the tragic news that she has taken her own life.”

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK.