Thomas Markle, the estranged father of Meghan Markle, has been photographed for the first time since Our News Outlet reported finding suspected child sexual abuse material in a storage unit he rented in Mexico. The FBI has confirmed that he is now under investigation.
Markle, 82, who uses a wheelchair, was seen being moved between care facilities in Lakeland, Florida, on Friday.
Earlier that day, Our News Outlet reported on material discovered inside a storage unit in Rosarito, Mexico. Markle rented the unit from 2017 until 2024, when payments stopped. The contents reportedly included books discussing pedophilia, magazines depicting the sexual abuse of children and loose photographs of unclothed Asian women, some of whom appear notably young.
After being alerted to the findings, the FBI confirmed through a senior source that it had opened an investigation and was coordinating with Mexican authorities.
The inquiry comes as authorities in the Philippines continue examining electronic devices recovered from Markle’s former home. His estranged son has alleged that those devices also contain child sexual abuse material.
Markle Sr., who previously lost his left leg after suffering a blood clot, is also receiving treatment for a recently diagnosed cognitive condition. He appeared serious as he was wheeled out of the Florida rehabilitation facility on Friday.
He was accompanied by his daughter, Samantha Markle—the only one of his children with whom he is said to remain in contact—and her boyfriend.
Thomas Markle, the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, has been photographed for the first time since Our News Outlet alerted the FBI to suspected child sexual abuse material found in his Mexican storage unit
The 82-year-old, who denies wrongdoing, was moved from the facility into a waiting van before being taken to another center for continued treatment
When a Daily Mail reporter approached the family at their home, Samantha’s boyfriend, Mark Phillips, defended Markle. Samantha was nearby but did not comment.
“The only statement that you’re going to get is that Thomas Markle doesn’t even have fingerprints on the stuff in the Philippines,” Phillips said.
“He didn’t even ever touch it the whole time it was there. He can’t be charged.”
“Markle never had it in Mexico either. The FBI has no jurisdiction in Mexico.”
“Thomas Markle Sr. hasn’t lived in the States in 10 years. Even if there was bad [material], the statute of limitations ran out five years ago. This is all bulls**t.”
The Duchess of Sussex said earlier this week that she was “deeply distressed” by the allegations concerning the Philippines. She was first informed about claims involving her father by London’s Metropolitan Police in January 2019.
Markle denies any wrongdoing. He did not respond to repeated Daily Mail requests for comment about the Mexican storage unit.
The reported contents of the unit included books about pedophilia, sexually explicit magazines and printed photographs of young Asian women.
One undated photograph reportedly shows Markle sitting on a bed beside a young woman. He appears to be in his 40s or 50s in the image.
Markle began renting the 5ft by 10ft unit in 2017, six years after moving to the area. He is understood to have abandoned it after relocating to the Philippines in January 2025.
Samantha Markle was also seen at the facility. She has supported her father, while her half-brother Thomas Markle Jr. and the Duchess of Sussex remain estranged from him
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Markle is the subject of investigations following reported discoveries at his home in the Philippines and inside a storage unit in Mexico
Our reporter was granted access to the unit after Markle fell behind on payments under the rental agreement.
Alongside family keepsakes, photographs and letters, the unit reportedly contained magazines published in Asia and depicting the sexual abuse of children.
The Daily Mail also reported finding 35mm negatives showing what appeared to be random, voyeuristic images of children on a beach.
Other negatives reportedly showed a woman with her limbs bound, or “hogtied,” while being directed by a man during a photo shoot.
More than 50 videotapes were also found in the unit. Their labels included “Boys – Brother and Sister – Russian XX” and “Manila Nites.” The precise contents of the tapes have not been established.
A collection of books included titles such as Forbidden Sexual Behavior and Morality, The Intimate Sex Lives of Famous People and The Invisible Children.
The Daily Mail alerted the FBI after reporting the discovery of sexually explicit books, magazines and photographs—including images of Asian women who appear notably young—in a Mexican storage unit rented by Thomas Markle
Around 20 boxes were reportedly stored in the unit, including books about pedophilia and magazines depicting the sexual abuse of children
Among the photographs was an undated image reportedly showing Markle on a bed with his arm around a young Asian woman. She appears alone and unclothed in several other images
The Daily Mail also reported finding VHS tapes, including one labeled “Manila Nites.” Their contents have not been confirmed
A paper plate bearing the words “DARK WEB” in red ink, alongside several URLs, was also reportedly found. Seven hard drives had been removed from computers in the storage unit.
Earlier this week, Filipino official Jonvic Remulla said the former Hollywood lighting technician could be a “sex offender of the grossest kind.” Remulla added that “all signs” suggested a serious offense might have occurred.
The investigation into Meghan Markle’s estranged father began after his son, Thomas Markle Jr., alerted the Philippine National Police to the reported material.
Markle is recovering and learning to walk again after his left leg was amputated in the Philippines 11 months ago.
Shortly after the operation, exclusive images published by Our News Outlet appeared to show Markle receiving a letter from Meghan in which she cut him out of her children’s lives.
The letter reportedly said Meghan “knew her father had abused young girls” and that he would never meet her children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five.
Last week, Markle acknowledged paying for sex in the Philippines while single. “I never had sex with anyone under the age of 18,” he said. “I like Asian women, but that is not a crime.”
He also firmly rejected his son’s claims that he downloaded child sexual abuse images onto computers and mobile phones later provided to authorities. He described the allegation as “the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.”
