Federal agents seized 78 items suspected of containing child sexual abuse images from two Los Angeles storage units linked to Thomas Markle Sr, the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
The investigation began when Thomas Markle Jr., Meghan’s half‑brother, uncovered a trove of disturbing photographs while clearing out their father’s former home in Cebu City, Philippines.
Meghan Markle said she was “deeply distressed” by the allegations and added that a letter sent to London police in 2018 detailed “troubling allegations” against her father.
Markle, a retired television lighting director, never attended the 2018 Windsor Castle wedding and has been living in the U.S. after a stroke and leg amputation forced him back from the Philippines.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated, “These allegations are extremely serious, and we will prosecute Mr. Markle to the fullest extent of federal law.” The case will now advance to the next phase of federal prosecution.