[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
The investigation into disturbing allegations involving Meghan Markle‘s estranged father has taken a significant turn.
Philippine police have now claimed that child sexual abuse imagery WAS found at a home previously occupied by Thomas Markle Sr. in the city of Cebu. And investigators in the United States are now in contact with authorities there, too, per People and other outlets new on Tuesday.
Whoa.
During a press conference on that day, Philippine National Police Acting Director Major General Wilson C. Asueta said “the investigation is going in the right direction,” according to People, Page Six, and other media outlets.
Related: Thomas Reportedly Moved Into Dementia Care — And It Could Complicate FBI Investigation
Specifically, he indicated that investigators obtained a warrant on October 29 to examine evidence from the property. They’re now reviewing computers, phones, and storage devices recovered there, trying to establish who owns them and whether Thomas, 82, appears in any of the material.
That distinction is important; cops have NOT established that the devices belong to Thomas or that he had anything to do with the images. And he has not been formally charged.
Nevertheless, per Page Six, authorities in the Philippines are now claiming that they discovered a video of Asian and White male and female children. Oh, no…
Asueta said:
“We were able to find that there are files consisting of several CSEAM [Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act] materials.”
And in addition to that, Asueta also confirmed that the FBI and other US authorities have contacted the Philippine police’s Women’s and Children’s Protection Center.
Separately, according to People, Mexican authorities also searched a former storage unit used by Thomas in Rosarito Beach back on Saturday. Investigators reportedly recovered a computer, thumb drives, VHS tapes, and old magazines. Officials have not said what, if anything, those items reveal. Philippine officials said Mexican authorities had not contacted them as of Tuesday, FWIW.
The latest police statements follow allegations raised by Thomas’s son, Thomas Markle Jr., who said he discovered disturbing material among belongings at his father’s home. He reported the alleged discovery to authorities back in July.
Thomas Sr. has strongly denied the allegations, and even accused his son of trying to destroy him with false claims. Meghan, meanwhile, has said that she was “deeply distressed” when the allegations became public, expressing concern for any children who might have been harmed.
Related: Meghan Confronted Thomas Over Child Abuse Allegations In Final Letter — And Told Him THIS
For now, authorities are still sorting out who possessed the devices and what connection, if any, Thomas has to the material.
The discovery is a serious, serious development, obviously. But to be clear, again, it is not yet a finding of guilt — only time and more investigation will tell what’s going on with this.
If you have sincere cause to suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence and would like to learn more about resources, consider checking out https://www.rainn.org/resources.
