Electronic devices belonging to Meghan Markle’s embattled father are being examined by authorities investigating Thomas Markle Sr for possessing child exploitation material.
Police in the Philippines have obtained a warrant to look into the 82-year-old suspect’s digital equipment including computers, phones and hard drives, according to the BBC.
Four boxes of material were reportedly surrendered to police by Thomas’ son, Thomas Markle Jr, last week. He’s the 60-year-old half-brother to the Duchess of Sussex.
Thomas Sr has called the allegations against him “sick lies” and denies any wrongdoing. His son says he found the alleged stash, which is said to include video tapes, while the family patriarch was hospitalised following a stroke.
Thomas Sr is reportedly living in a Florida rehabilitation centre after having a leg amputated amid his seemingly ongoing health issues. He had been residing in the historic Philippine province of Cebu.
Meghan has been estranged from her father since 2018, which is when she married Prince Harry. Thomas Sr didn’t attend the wedding.
The Duchess told the BBC she and law enforcement authorities were aware of allegations her dad had abused underaged girls.
She reportedly informed her father in a letter that he would not have contact with her young son and daughter, whom Meghan and the Prince moved to Britain in August. They’d been living in California.
Authorities must determine how Thomas Sr obtained any illicit images he may have possessed before criminal charges can be considered.
Philippine interior minister Jonvic Remulla told the Guardian in a report published Sunday (Oct 25) that investigators have a responsibility to explore every possibility in cases involving family members at odds with one another. But, he added that “right now all signs point to a possible sex offender of the grossest kind.”
Remulla expected forensics data to be examined by the end of the week. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
