Sex abuse support group Victimas Unidas, which worked with Sabrina Bittencourt, said she had left a note explaining why she killed herself.

AN ACTIVIST whose claims led to the "rape" arrest of a celebrity healer called John of God has taken her own life at her hideaway in Spain.

Sabrina Bittencourt reportedly left a note explaining why she had killer herself

Eldest son Gabriel Baum confirmed her death, writing on Facebook: “She took the last step so that we could live. They killed my mother.”

More than 600 women have accused John of God - real name Joao Teixeira de Faria - of sexually abusing them during so-called healing sessions.

He was arrested in his homeland of Brazil in December and remanded in prison before being charged with rape and sexual assault.

The cult leader gained international fame in 2010 when US TV star Oprah Winfrey visited his retreat to interview him for her talk show.

She wrote she left feeling “an overwhelming sense of peace”, although she later deleted the comments and has since said she hopes justice is done.

Teixeira de Faria’s claims of healing powers brought people from around the world to his compounds in the small town of Abadiania.

BABY FARM CLAIMS

Bill Clinton and supermodel Naomi Campbell are rumoured to be among the high-profile celebrities to have visited the 77-year-old.

Mrs Bittencourt, 38, who was "living under the protection" after receiving death threats, claimed Teixeira de Faria ran a “sex slave farm.”

The mum-of-three claimed young girls were held captive to produce babies to be sold on the black market before being murdered.

She was quoted as saying: “Hundreds of girls were enslaved over years, lived on farms in Goias, served as wombs to get pregnant, for their babies to be sold.”

Mrs Bittencourt said she had received reports of the newborns being sold for up to £40,000 in Europe, USA and Australia.

She added: “These girls were murdered after 10 years of giving birth. We have got a number of testimonies.”

Announcing her death Vitimas Unidas said: "(The) group announces with regret the death of Sabrina Bittencourt, which occurred around 9pm on Saturday in Barcelona.

“The activist committed suicide and left a farewell note explaining the reasons why she took her own life.

“We ask you all not to try to contact her relatives. Two of her three children are still not aware of what happened and their father, Rafael Velasco, is trying to protect them.”

Oprah Winfrey meets John of God cult leader João Teixeira de Faria

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on (free) 116123 or 020 7734 2800.

6 John of God was considered to be Brazil's most celebrated faith healer Credit: Getty - Contributor

6 Mrs Bittencourt was living in Barcelona 'under protection' after receiving death threats Credit: Facebook

6 The Brazilian healer became a prominent spiritual figure in 2010 when Oprah Winfrey visited him

6 A woman prays on the cult's Sacred Triangle of prayer Credit: AFP - Getty