Mexican authorities have raided a storage facility rented by Thomas Markle, the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, as part of an investigation into allegations involving child sexual abuse material.
The search was conducted after the Baja California State Prosecutor’s Office received an anonymous tip alleging that the storage unit contained material linked to the suspected abuse images.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the facility owner informed investigators that Thomas Markle had stopped paying rent in 2024, although his belongings had remained secured inside the unit.
During the search, investigators reportedly discovered old magazines from Asia dating back approximately 20 years, as well as computer equipment. Authorities did not provide further details about the magazines but confirmed that the electronic devices had been taken for additional examination.
The raid follows reports from the Philippines last week that police were investigating a laptop discovered alongside images of child abuse at a former residence of Thomas Markle.
The 82-year-old had previously lived in Mexico before relocating to the Philippines in 2025 and subsequently returning to the United States. He has denied the allegations against him.
The investigation gained international attention after Philippine police reportedly began examining a laptop found at Thomas Markle’s former home.
According to reports, the discovery was made by his son, Thomas Markle Jr., while going through boxes and personal belongings at the property.
British newspaper The Sun first reported last month that Thomas Markle Jr. had discovered images of child abuse among the items.
The Mexican investigation represents a separate development, with authorities now examining computer equipment recovered from the storage facility to establish whether it contains relevant evidence.
However, the discovery of the equipment and other belongings does not, on its own, establish criminal wrongdoing. The allegations remain subject to investigation.
Meghan Markle has publicly expressed distress over the allegations concerning her father.
In a statement, the Duchess of Sussex said she was deeply troubled by reports that her father may have possessed images of child abuse.
She also disclosed that she had previously taken steps to prevent contact between Thomas Markle and her children because of what she described as earlier troubling and disturbing allegations.
Meghan further revealed that she had seen a letter in 2018 addressed to London’s Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection containing similar allegations against her father.
According to her, she was assured at the time that the claims were being investigated.
Her statement has brought renewed attention to the long-running estrangement between her and her father, which became widely publicised around the time of her marriage to Prince Harry.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepped back from their senior royal duties in 2020 and subsequently relocated from Britain amid a highly publicised dispute with the British royal family.
Thomas Markle’s relationship with his daughter had already deteriorated before her wedding, with the family dispute attracting extensive international media coverage.
The latest investigation has added another development to the complicated family situation, although Meghan’s public comments have focused on her concern over the allegations rather than the wider royal family dispute.
Mexican investigators are expected to examine the electronic equipment recovered from the storage unit as part of their inquiries. Authorities have not publicly established whether the items contain the material described in the anonymous tip or whether any criminal charges will follow.
The investigations in Mexico and the Philippines remain ongoing, and no finding of guilt against Thomas Markle has been established.
Visit www.rapidospace.com for more international news, entertainment and human-interest stories.
