Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is reportedly under investigation after his son claimed he discovered suspected child sexual abuse material among his father’s belongings in the Philippines.
Thomas Markle Jr. alleged that he found four boxes containing a large collection of explicit photographs and videos at his father’s former home in Cebu. He subsequently reported the discovery to authorities in the Philippines and the United States, according to reports by The Sun and People.
No charges have been filed against Thomas Sr., 82, and the allegations have not been established in court.
Son says he alerted authorities
Thomas Jr., Meghan’s half-brother, claimed the boxes contained printed images, old mobile phones and computer storage devices holding potentially illegal material.
He also alleged that one of the photographs appeared to have been taken at his father’s former home in Rosarito, Mexico.
Thomas Jr. said he reported the discovery to Philippine police, the FBI’s tip line, the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Pennsylvania State Police.
“When I found this material I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad,” he told The Sun.
The FBI reportedly confirmed receiving his submission. However, the agency has not publicly announced an investigation or filed any charges.
Philippine investigation reported
The Sun reported that investigators from the Philippines’ Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking assigned the case to a task force operated by a specialist women and children’s protection unit.
People said the relevant Philippine police department did not immediately respond to its request for confirmation.
The reported evidence would need to undergo forensic examination to determine its contents, origin and ownership. Its alleged presence among Thomas Sr.’s belongings does not, by itself, establish that he obtained or knowingly possessed it.
Thomas Sr. has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Thomas Markle Jr. cuts contact
Thomas Jr., 60, said the alleged discovery had ended his relationship with his father, whom he had helped care for amid serious health problems.
“I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him,” he told The Sun.
Thomas Sr. suffered a stroke in 2022 and later underwent a leg amputation following additional health complications. Reports say he is now receiving care in the United States after previously living in the Philippines.
Harry and Meghan decline to comment
A representative for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex declined to comment when contacted by People.
Meghan has been estranged from her father since shortly before her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. Their relationship deteriorated after Thomas Sr. admitted arranging staged photographs with a paparazzi agency and subsequently gave several interviews discussing his daughter.
The current allegations concern Thomas Sr. alone. There is no suggestion that Meghan or Prince Harry had any knowledge of the reported material.
The case remains at the investigation stage. No arrest, criminal charge or finding of wrongdoing against Thomas Sr. had been publicly announced at the time of publication.
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