Epstein Ranch Searched Again as Investigators Reopen New Mexico Questions

Investigators in the United States have begun searching Jeffrey Epstein’s former ranch in New Mexico, reopening scrutiny of a property long linked to allegations of abuse but never fully examined in court.

Authorities started searching the late financier’s Zorro Ranch on Monday, after the release of millions of investigative files renewed pressure on officials to revisit Epstein’s activities at the isolated property.

The renewed attention follows a decision by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez last month to reopen the matter. The state had previously closed its investigation in 2019 after federal prosecutors requested that local authorities step back.

Now state officials appear to be reassessing whether key questions about the ranch were left unresolved.

The property, located about 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of Santa Fe, was owned by Epstein from 1993 until his death in 2019. The financier died in a New York jail while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

While Epstein faced multiple accusations involving the property, he was never charged with crimes tied directly to the New Mexico ranch during his lifetime.

Several accusers have said the ranch was one of the places where abuse occurred. Among them was Virginia Giuffre, who died in 2024 and had long alleged that Epstein trafficked and abused girls and young women.

The search now underway comes as lawmakers in New Mexico also revisit Epstein’s activities through a bipartisan “truth commission” with subpoena powers. The effort aims to gather testimony and records that could shed light on what happened at the ranch and whether any additional individuals were involved.

Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area while the search continues.

“We urge the public to please stay away from the area and ground any drone activity nearby to avoid interfering with the ongoing law enforcement operation,” the New Mexico Department of Justice said in a statement.

“The New Mexico Department of Justice will continue to keep the public appropriately informed, support the survivors, and follow the facts wherever they lead.”

The renewed investigation follows the US Department of Justice’s release in January of millions of files related to Epstein and his network. Many of the documents contain tips and leads gathered over years of investigations.

Some of those claims remain unverified. In several cases, the material includes allegations that investigators themselves described as unsubstantiated or difficult to confirm.

Among the tips referenced in the files is an email from someone claiming to be a former employee of the ranch. The sender offered to provide videos allegedly showing Epstein abusing minors in exchange for one Bitcoin.

The anonymous message also claimed that the bodies of two foreign girls had been buried in hills near the ranch on the orders of Epstein and his former associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Authorities have not confirmed those claims.