Audrey Semeraro (also known as Audrey Raimbault) is a French woman who met Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell through Prince Andrew in the late 1990s. Her case illustrates trauma bonds and delayed abuse recognition.
Semeraro dated Prince Andrew in the late 1990s. Andrew introduced her to Epstein and Maxwell at age 19. She traveled with Epstein to Harvard University, where he introduced her to scientists and neuroscientists.
Her father is also a scientist, which made Epstein's Harvard introductions particularly significant for establishing trust. She flew on Epstein's plane multiple times at age 22.
Epstein asked her to be his girlfriend, but she refused. She has stated they remained "friends."
Epstein touched Semeraro inappropriately. When she told Prince Andrew, he said he wasn't surprised, stating it was not the first allegation against Epstein. This suggests Andrew knew of prior allegations against Epstein in the late 1990s.
On July 10, 2019, four days after Epstein's arrest on federal sex trafficking charges, Semeraro emailed Epstein expressing support. The email was obtained through a House Oversight Committee investigation (file number: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_029504).
Semeraro later realized she had been used and hurt. Her lawyer explained the 2019 email reflected a trauma bond.
House Oversight Committee Document Release. Email from Audrey Raimbault to Jeffrey Epstein, dated July 10, 2019, 8:07 AM. File number: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_029504; Additional details provided through survivor account