FBI to Launch Investigation into Thomas Markle Sr. Over Alleged Child Pornography Find in Philippines

U.S. federal investigators are set to open a separate investigation into Thomas Markle Sr., 82, following a report that his son uncovered a substantial collection of child sexual abuse images at the family’s residence in Cebu, Philippines. According to a source familiar with the case, an FBI agent has already requested contact details for Philippine investigators handling the matter.

Thomas Markle Jr., 60, told authorities that he found "hundreds, if not thousands" of disturbing images stored in boxes at the Cebu home and reported the discovery to the FBI hotline, the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children, and Pennsylvania state police. He also enlisted an IT specialist to examine three hard drives, describing the content as "row upon row of thumbnail pictures linking to the most sickening child abuse imaginable. The worst of the worst."

The Philippine Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking has reportedly formed a task force to seize the evidence and pursue its own inquiry. The FBI has not commented on the planned probe.

Markle Sr., a retired lighting director who previously worked on "General Hospital," now resides in a nursing and rehabilitation center in Florida after a 2025 blood clot led to the amputation of his left leg. He has been estranged from his daughter, Meghan Markle, since 2018 and has not met her husband, Prince Harry. A source close to Meghan suggested the ongoing investigation might clarify the long-standing family distance.