Investigators in New Mexico are now searching Jeffrey Epstein's former Zorro Ranch after new allegations surfaced that the bodies of two girls may have been buried on or near the property.
State investigators, working with local law enforcement, began combing the 7,600-acre ranch south of Santa Fe on Monday as part of a renewed criminal investigation into alleged crimes committed there before Epstein's death in 2019.
Authorities say the operation follows the recent release of millions of pages of "Epstein files" that indicated the New Mexico property had never been thoroughly searched by federal agents. Officials have not said how long the search will last or which areas of the ranch and surrounding land they are focusing on, according to People.
The search was launched after state officials reviewed a redacted email, released in U.S. Department of Justice records, in which an anonymous person claiming to be a former employee alleged that Epstein ordered the remains of two foreign girls buried in hills near the ranch.
New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard asked state and federal authorities last month to investigate the claim and possible crimes on adjacent state land once leased by Epstein for privacy. The New Mexico Department of Justice subsequently opened a criminal probe on Feb. 19 that now includes the on-site search, Yahoo News reported.
Attorney General Raúl Torrez said the search is part of a broader effort to examine long-standing allegations that minors were abused and trafficked at Zorro Ranch, accusations that were never tested in court in New Mexico.
His office has pledged to keep the public informed, support alleged survivors, and "follow the facts wherever they lead." Officials emphasized that the allegations of buried bodies remain unverified and have urged the public to stay away from the area so as not to interfere with investigators.
State lawmakers have separately approved funding for a legislative inquiry with subpoena power to examine how Epstein was able to operate in New Mexico for years with limited scrutiny. The panel is expected to issue initial findings this summer and a final report by the end of the year, as per the New York Times.
