Duchess of Sussex's half-brother named in Philippines child abuse probe
Philippine officials say new evidence links Thomas Markle Jr. to the investigation into his father's alleged possession of images.
By Andrew Kovalenko ·
Thomas Markle Jr., the 60-year-old half-brother of the Duchess of Sussex, is now a person of interest in the Philippine investigation into child sexual abuse image allegations. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the development at a press conference in Manila on Wednesday. Remulla stated that signs indicate the son is involved in the crime, though authorities are not yet treating him as a formal suspect.
The investigation centers on digital material recovered from the home of Thomas Markle Sr., the 82-year-old father of Meghan Markle. Remulla told reporters that investigators found more than 7,000 photos and one video. The files depict underage males and females of Asian, Latin, and European descent. Some of the children shown in the material appear to be as young as 10 and 11. The secretary described the collection as the most deplorable displays of impunity toward sexual activity he had ever seen.
Markle Jr. originally alerted local police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to the case. He claimed to have found four storage boxes at his father's home in the Philippines containing hundreds, if not thousands, of child sex abuse images. He remains in Cebu City. According to The Sun, Markle Jr. was recently interviewed at his home in Cordova, Cebu, during an international multi-agency meeting held via Microsoft Teams. He provided a statement to an FBI agent based in Florida who specializes in child sex abuse cases.
Remulla said the alleged involvement of the son is not thought to be directly connected to the specific material Markle Jr. handed to police. The official added that authorities expect to determine the son's role in the next few days. Markle Sr. returned to the United States from the Philippines in May. He is reportedly living in a care home for dementia patients. He has admitted to paying for sex in the Philippines but denies possessing the imagery, suggesting he was set up.
Police and FBI agents are currently examining whether Markle Sr. held illegal images while living in the Philippines and in Mexico. Reports indicate other illegal images were found in one of his storage units in Mexico. Remulla previously characterized Markle Sr. as a possible sex offender of the grossest kind. The investigation continues across multiple jurisdictions.
The Duchess of Sussex responded to the initial publication of the claims by saying she was deeply distressed. She stated she had learned of disturbing allegations against her father in 2018. She said she had restricted contact between her father and her children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, to protect them.
