Warrant authorized search for abuse material
A judge authorized the search for "evidence consisting of child sexual abuse material" and "the alleged commission of the crime of human trafficking in its aggravated form," according to a copy of the warrant obtained by the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported that Guardia Nacional officers identified themselves as state sex crimes investigators. Forensic computing specialists, a crime scene investigator and representatives of the Baja California state attorney general's office also took part in the operation.
The storage unit measures 5 feet by 10 feet and is three miles from Markle's former Rosarito home. Investigators used a flashlight to examine its contents and searched through boxes. An onlooker told the Daily Mail that an agent recoiled at the material and exclaimed in Spanish.
Investigators cataloged and removed a computer, thumb drives, VHS tapes and a stack of magazines, a source told the newspaper. They then closed the unit and affixed an official seizure notice.
Philippine investigation and FBI response
In the Philippines, an investigation began after Markle's son, Thomas Markle Jr., alleged that he had discovered child abuse images in boxes at his father's home and contacted police. Markle Jr., 60, is Meghan's half-brother. He told The Sun: "When I found this material I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad."
Philippine Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty confirmed to the BBC in late October that a Cebu-based task force specializing in human trafficking and child sexual exploitation was investigating the allegations against Thomas Markle Sr.
Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla separately told the BBC that national police had secured Markle's computer for a comprehensive digital forensic examination. He estimated that the results would take about a week.
The FBI also addressed the allegations in a statement reported by the BBC in late October: "The FBI said it was aware" was not its wording; the bureau said it was "aware of the allegations and will provide support, as appropriate, to the Philippine authorities. We will also investigate any related allegations of federal violations of US law."
The BBC reported that Markle Sr. was living at a rehabilitation center in Florida as of late October, learning to walk again following a leg amputation during surgery in December 2025.
Meghan's account of a 2018 letter
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, said in a statement reported by the BBC that she learned of "disturbing allegations" against her father in 2018. A letter setting out the allegations had been sent to London's Metropolitan Police that year and later shared with her, she said.
She described herself as "deeply distressed" and said she had kept her children from having contact with her father to protect them.
The Metropolitan Police said it was conducting an internal inquiry to establish whether its royal protection unit had passed the letter to Meghan. The BBC reported that the force was understood never to have investigated Thomas Markle Sr. and was not investigating him at present.
