FBI launches investigation into Thomas Markle over child abuse material

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 3 Nov, 20:56 · Archive

Philippine police say they found child sex abuse images at Thomas Markle's home and the FBI has launched its own investigation.

Philippine police say they have found child sex abuse images among material seized from Thomas Markle's home in Cebu City. Investigators are examining mobile phones, computer hard drives, digital storage cards and other possessions taken from the property, and are working to determine who produced and owned the material and whether Markle appeared in the imagery.

The FBI has launched its own investigation into the 82-year-old, according to Philippine National Police director Wilson Casueta. The director said the investigation is 'going in the right direction' and that if there is sufficient evidence warranting it, authorities will file a case. No formal complaint has yet been made against Markle.

Authorities in the Philippines launched their investigation after Markle's son, Thomas Markle Jnr, allegedly discovered 'hundreds' of child sex images left behind at his father's home when he moved from the country earlier this year. Police were granted a warrant to examine the alleged stash last Thursday, with Cebu regional prosecutor Graeme Elmido telling the BBC that Markle Jnr was 'adamant' the case be investigated. The New York Post reports that the Daily Mail said it reported Markle Sr. to the FBI following its own discovery of material at a storage unit in Mexico. Markle Sr. is currently in the United States and has been moved into a Florida care home for dementia patients, according to the Sun.

How it is being reported

• Child sex abuse images among material found in Thomas Markle investigationPolice were granted a warrant to examine the alleged stash of child sex abuse material last ThursdayThe Independent · 3 Nov, 20:36
• How Thomas Markle’s child porn scandal could impact Prince Harry, Meghan’s fight for UK security"The question would be, will someone target Meghan Markle because her father is being accused of being a pedophile?" Simon Morgan questioned to Page Six.New York Post · 3 Nov, 19:03
• Sick details of Thomas Markle’s alleged child porn cache found in Philippines – as cops confirm FBI involvedThomas Markle Sr.’s vile child pornography cache contained a video of children engaging in sex acts, Filipino cops said Tuesday, while also revealing the FBI has launched its own investigation into Meghan Markle’s estranged father.New York Post · 3 Nov, 13:02

In this story: Thomas Markle Sr. · Meghan Markle · FBI · Philippine National Police · Philippines · Cebu City

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