Vahey gained a position of trust that gave him access to boys, the FBI says
The American agency is leading the investigation into the crimes of William James Vahey, who killed himself as authorities began to uncover the scale of his abuse at schools across the world.
FBI Special Agent Shauna Dunlap said: “Without a doubt, this is certainly one of the most prolific suspected sexual predators that we’ve seen, given the numbers of children, potential victims, his position of trust, and so forth.
“And some of the allegations and the methods that are being alleged that he may have employed while committing these crimes.”
Ms Dunlap added the FBI would not “stop seeking justice” because Vahey is dead.
Meanwhile, one of Vahey’s former students has told Sky News that she heard rumours the teacher’s abuse led to three suicides.
The student, named Alicia, was taught by Vahey during the 1980s in Saudi Arabia.
She told Sky News: “That was the rumour: that Bill Vahey molested children and that three had committed suicide as a result.”
William Vahey Paedophile Teacher Affidavit The FBI application for a search warrant
FBI agents are in the UK to assist with the investigation into the abuse at Southbank International School in London.
The 64-year-old taught history and geography there from 2009 to 2013.
Executive principal Graham Lacey said images of between 50 and 60 pupils at the school were found on the American national’s computer.
The FBI is in possession of pictures at least 90 different boys aged 12 to 14 and is concerned there could be more.
Because Vahey drugged some of his victims, many might not even know they were abused.
The school was closed on Friday and is asking for any pupils with disturbing experiences to come forward.
One of those concerned he may have been abused by the serial child molester during a field trip has spoken to The Guardian.
Jonathan told the newspaper: “I had my suspicions from the beginning. There was something a bit off about him.
“This was discussed among the boys: it was a case of Mr Vahey – the paedo.”
Southbank International School Southbank International School in London
During the holiday, he told of how the teacher escorted him along to his room because he felt dizzy and drowsy after a meal which he now fears Vahey spiked with sleeping pills.
He said: “As he was taking me to bed he asked me: ‘What are you going to wear to bed?’ I found the question and his manner to be very odd. I remember being completely out of it.”
Jonathan never suspected he may have been molested until Vahey’s prolific sex offending was revealed this week.
Vahey’s crimes were uncovered after a maid stole a USB stick from his house containing images of his victims.
Sky News has obtained an FBI affidavit which reveals the extent of the abuse.
The document explains how Vahey reported a theft from his apartment in Nicaragua in 2013.
His maid was dismissed, but handed a memory stick she stole to the American Nicaraguan School in Managua, Nicaragua.
The images it contained “depict minor males in various states of undress” who “appear to be asleep, unconscious or possibly drugged”.
Staff at the Nicaraguan school confronted Vahey, who told them he was molested as a child and had preyed on boys all his life.
Vahey was convicted of a child sex offence in California in 1969 but appears to have failed to sign the sex offenders’ register.
William Vahey William James Vahey abused boys aged between 12 and 14
Caroline Corey’s two children were taught by Vahey at the American International School in Caracas, Venezuela.
She said: “He groomed the parents as well as the kids to trust him.
“When my son called the other day, he said ‘I just can’t believe Mr Vahey did this – he was my favourite teacher.'”
Mrs Corey’s children went on trips abroad with Vahey.
“Thankfully, neither were abused,” she added. “I do recall a number of boys got sick on the trip and Mr Vahey was the hero taking care of them.”
Vahey’s crimes were uncovered after a maid stole a USB stick from his house containing images of his victims.
Southbank International School Southbank International School in London
Southbank International School executive principal Graham Lacey said images of between 50 and 60 pupils were found on the 64-year-old’s computer.
Because he drugged some of his victims, many might not even know they were abused.
A former pupil of Vahey in Venezuela, Miriam Pjaaka Svendsen, told Sky News: “He seemed like a very nice, sweet and caring man.
“I could never have expected a teacher or a man like him could do these acts to young boys.”
Sky News has obtained an FBI affidavit which reveals the extent of the abuse.
The document explains how Vahey reported a theft from his apartment in Nicaragua in 2013.
William Vahey Paedophile Teacher Affidavit
William Vahey Paedophile Teacher Affidavit An FBI affidavit to search a USB flash drive owned by Vahey
His maid was dismissed, but handed a memory stick she stole to the American Nicaraguan School in Managua, Nicaragua.
The images it contained “depict minor males in various states of undress” who “appear to be asleep, unconscious or possibly drugged”.
Staff at the Nicaraguan school confronted Vahey. He told them he was molested as a child and had preyed on boys all his life, plying them with sleeping pills before abusing them.
After learning of the crimes, London’s Southbank International School wrote to parents urging any pupils with disturbing experiences to come forward.
The school was closed on Friday. Counselling is being offered and a meeting for parents will be held next week.
“As a staff we feel upset, angry and betrayed,” Mr Lacey wrote. “We can only imagine what you as parents must feel.”
Vahey, an American national, killed himself in a Minnesota motel two days after the FBI filed the warrant to search a computer drive containing photos of at least 90 boys aged from 12 to 14.
He was convicted of a child sex offence in California in 1969 but appears to have failed to sign the sex offenders’ register.
William Vahey The FBI is leading the investigation into William Vahey
Checks were made on Vahey when he joined Southbank International School, but these revealed nothing untoward.
Three references the school obtained were “outstanding” and “specifically stated that there were no safeguarding issues”.
One incident was investigated by school management, but both the parents and the child did not want to pursue it, the school’s chair of governors, Sir Chris Woodhead, said.