The son of two diplomats from Norway has died by suicide amid an investigation into his parents’ connections to Jeffrey Epstein, according to Norwegian media.
Edward Juul Rod-Larsen, 25, was found dead in Oslo on Wednesday, just days after Norwegian and French police launched a joint investigation into his parents, diplomat Terje Rod-Larsen and Mona Juul, a former ambassador.
Police launched an investigation into the high-profile figures after it was reported that Epstein left a total of $10 million to Edward and his twin sister, Emma, in his will.
That is the same amount the pedophile left to his accomplice, convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
The couples lawyers, Thomas Skjelbred and John Christian Elden, confirmed his death in a statement to Norwegian outlet VG.
‘It stands in the shadow of 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,’ the lawyers wrote.
‘Speculating on connections is both irresponsible and undignified. Suicide is always complex. There is never one explanation, never one cause, never one blame.’
Edward and his sister were called the ‘Peace Twins’ when they were born, as their father, Rod-Larsen, was the Deputy Secretary-General of the UN, and their mother, Juul, was the State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time.
Edward Juul Rod-Larsen (center), 25, was found dead in Oslo on Wednesday, just days after Norwegian and French police launched a joint investigation into his parents, diplomat Terje Rod-Larsen and Mona Juul, a former ambassador
Police launched an investigation into the high-profile figures after it was reported that Epstein left $10 million in his will to the couple’s children
Rod-Larsen and Juul are known for their roles in the Oslo Accords, the Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts in the 1990s, and for inspiring 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 contact with Epstein.
The country’s Foreign Ministry launched an investigation into Juul’s knowledge of and contact with Epstein.
The ministry said it also launched a review of its funding of and contact with the International Peace Institute, a New York-based think tank, during the period when it was headed by Rod-Larsen.
The trove of Epstein files released by the Department of Justice last year showed that Rod-Larsen, in his role as head of the International Peace Institute, wrote official letters of recommendation to US authorities to secure visas for young Russian women for Epstein, newspaper Dagens Næringsliv reported.
Notably, the money bequeathed to Edward and Emma has not been paid out, according to the family. Edward and Emma have not been accused of any wrong doing.
This is a developing story.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.
