A stately home like from the series “Dallas”: The Zorro Ranch by Jeffrey Epstein, 2019.Image: keystone
The property in New Mexico, which was also visited by celebrities such as ex-Prince Andrew, now belongs to a prominent politician. He wants to make it a Christian retreat.
Mar 14, 2026, 10:12 p.mMar 14, 2026, 10:12 p.m
Simon Maurer / ch media
In the middle of the New Mexico desert lies one of the most enigmatic locations in the Epstein scandal: the Zorro Ranch, a luxurious estate owned by the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The American public long puzzled why the FBI never thoroughly searched the remote property despite anonymous tips about possible sex crimes.
New revelations from files published in January have now put the ranch in the investigators’ sights.
In one of the shared emails An anonymous blackmailer claims to have knowledge that “two foreign women were buried in the mountains surrounding Zorro Ranch on the orders of Jeffrey Epstein” after being strangled during fetish sex.
The sender requests the transfer of a Bitcoin – the equivalent of around 57,000 francs – so that he does not publish the information. The email attachment also contains links to videos that are said to show Epstein having sex with minors – although the links are not part of the published files.
The ranch has long since been resold
As a result of these new findings, the New Mexico state legislature last month passed a law allowing the creation of a special Epstein investigation commission. This week, the responsible attorney general, Raúl Torrez, officially began the search of the Zorro Ranch.
This undertaking is not that easy. Epstein’s estate administrators sold the approximately 31 square kilometer estate to the family of the well-known conservative politician Don Huffines in 2023.
The deal caused criticism at the time: Huffines had initially completed the purchase through an anonymous company, and observers suspected that the sprawling property changed hands well below its market value. However, according to Huffines, until recently no agency had ever requested access to the ranch.
Jeffrey Epstein often visited the desert landscape around the Zorro Ranch – bodies of his victims could still be buried here.Image: DOJ
But now everyone involved has declared that they want to work together. This gives the investigators access for the first time 2660 square meter luxury villain which celebrities such as the linguist Noam Chomsky and the British former Prince Andrew were guests.
Epstein’s assets are still being disputed
Epstein didn’t just use the Zorro Ranch as a weekend retreat. He bought it in the 1990s because many scientists lived in the greater region. According to research by «New York Times» was Epstein’s original plan to set up a eugenics project there to specifically distribute his DNA. Several women were to have children by him on the ranch. The site is particularly suitable for this plan because of its remoteness.
However, that never happened: Jeffrey Epstein officially died childless in 2019 – even though speculation recently arose about a possible secret son. Shortly before his death, he had transferred his assets to a trust in the US Virgin Islands and signed a will. His then-partner Karyna Shuliak was listed as a beneficiary. According to Epstein’s plans, she should have had claims worth around $100 million.
Holidays in the horror house will probably be bookable soon
The Belarusian has not yet received the money. After Epstein’s death, his estate was controlled by administrators while numerous victims filed lawsuits. A large part of the 577 million assets ultimately flowed into a compensation fund from which hundreds of those affected received payments.
Around $120 million remaining is still part of a legal process, although it is unclear whether Epstein’s survivors will ever receive any of it. What will play a role, at least in public perception, is how ex-partner Karyna Shuliak behaves next Thursday when she has to testify before Congress.
Regardless, there are big plans for the Zorro Ranch. The new owner Don Huffines announcedto soon use the property again under the name “San Rafael Ranch” as a Christian retreat. Huffines also already has a plan for the new entrance gate: in the future it will read: “Blessed are those who come in the name of the Lord.”
(aargauerzeitung.ch)