Rich Schapiro is a reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit. become of Epsteins sprawling properties. A Feb. 21 Instagram video ( direct link, archive link) shows a series of clips of former President Barack Obama awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to different celebrities. Epstein usually boarded his private plane to fly to St. Thomas international airport, where he would then board a helicopter that whisked him to his private islands. This was how I verified and contacted the first piano tuner, who said he never serviced Epstein's piano on Little St. James. Have You Tried Eating an Orange in the Shower? The design slightly resembles ablaq, a masonry technique used in mosques that involves layers of darker and lighter stone. But as Schapiro acknowledged, the building substantially deviates from the blueprints, which describe an octagonal structure surrounded by a covered porch, with internal partitions for a bathroom, a closet, and a living room. The footage gave a close-up look at Epstein's eclectic taste in art, revealing odd statues of apes, gargoyle-like sculptures, a massive sundial, and an armchair that appeared to be made of animal horns and hide. (For pianos in regular use, the recommended frequency is twice a year.). My own theory is that journalism is about solving mysteries identifying the unknown and finding a way to know it. The persistence of this mystery is especially remarkable given the intense public scrutiny of Epstein and his circle since his arrest in July. ". When I emailed Baron several photographs of the building, taken from different angles and elevations, he called me a few minutes later: "That is definitely the building. Conspiracy theorists have suggested that the temple was either a secluded setting for Epsteins abuse or that it concealed a hidden underground location for the same purpose. Remember That Spray-on Dress? I was just too excited to be on this beautiful island with a day to myself and this amazing piano. inside Jeffrey Epstein On top of being partners [sic] they are also best of friends, it said. In 2016, shortly before his arrest, he bought the larger Great St. James islands for $17.5 million. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. Jeffrey Epstein pictured inside his Paedophile Island lair | Photos Visit Insider's homepage for more stories, the discovery of a strange blue-and-white structure. The pair A Woman Has Been Charged for Allegedly Taking Abortion Pills. The island has been abandoned since Epstein's death in 2019. I began to question the whole point of the exercise. Sarah Ransome, who claims Epstein instructed her to have sex with lawyer Alan Dershowitz when she was in her 20, said she tried to swim off the island, only to be found by a search party that included Epstein and his alleged madame Ghislaine Maxwell. Shocking new vision from the private island of suspected sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein has shown fake doors and frightening statues. Why would Epstein, who had access to seemingly unlimited amounts of capital, choose a mural of an elaborate door over the real thing? An altar to an ancient deity. Most notably, the men arrived at Epstein's temple, the purpose for which remains unclear, but has sparked a number of conspiracy theories. The ride took about five minutes, along a path lined with palm trees. Indeed, someone had left several comments about entering the temple, using the piano tuner's name. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Still, the boat captains are mistaken. The video opens with Berwick saying, Well hello from Jeffrey Epsteins island walking around the whole island. "No one used to pay attention to it," Stewart told the Los Angeles Times. The island is also home to a stone mansion, with cream walls and a bright turquoise roof surrounded by maids' quarters was built first, followed by the temple topped with a gold dome. subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. There is a legible correspondence between the building's exterior and the modern Greek flag, and ancient Greek culture did promote sexual relationships between adolescent boys and adult men. Scully claimed that his client used the building for exercise. 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Indeed, all the temple's external archways were illusions, painted on the building's featureless, flat surface as a trompe l'oeil: In a second video, Shackleford's drone captured a portion of the building's interior, seen through one of the side windows. Jeffrey Epstein pal Ghislaine Maxwell appeals sex trafficking conviction over jury members lie inside courtroom Love Island's Tom in furious clash with islander after mass dumping. Records viewed by NBC News show that the building was among proposed new construction that raised alarm inside the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks. She said: I had been raped three times that day. ", Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. But the YouTube user said he visited the building in the "early 2000s," long before it appeared in satellite imagery of Little St. James. I could have accepted it as a study or retreat, until I knew more about the man. This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. The interior consisted of only one large room; there weren't any doors or stairwells that may have led to other rooms. Another comment read (minor typos have been corrected): "Every time I was there it seemed some kind of repair was being done to structure. The cache of evidence, released as part of Maxwells federal sex-trafficking trial, reveals what FBI agents discovered, which included a trove of discs that give a glimpse into their jet-setting lives together. "The major difference seems to be in the shape of the building itself," Marlon Hibbert said in response to an email request for comment, in which NBC News had provided a link to a photo of the odd-looking structure. Privacy Policy and Web1.9M views 3 years ago #InsideEdition It's your first look at disgraced financier Jeffrey Epsteins private island. I felt no closer to understanding the history of the building or the local lore around it. A piano tuner who lives in the Virgin Islands told Insider that he visited the building twice in 2012 and described its interior in detail. I was not able to make sense of this discrepancy. The statues in front of and on top of the building, including Poseidon and the birdlike ones on the roof, appear to have vanished around the same time.). More than two decades ago, Little St. James Island, a small part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, began to change in ways that the locals on neighboring islands regarded with suspicion. The documents clearly show a building designed to show off a grand piano. Footage Of Abused Children Captured On Jeffrey Epsteins .. "The other thing I remember," the reader later added, "was the Golden Owl on the roof pointed in a certain direction and that had [some kind of] meaning. Known as Zorro Ranch, it went up for sale in July for $27.5 million, two years after Epsteins death. John Stewart, the owner of a boat-tour agency on St. Thomas, also told reporters that, over the past few weeks, he has seen a large increase in the number of catamarans sailing by Epstein's island. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. WebEpstein's seven-story mansion in Manhattan also hit the market in July for $88 million, according to the Journal. Reportedly, Epstein would pay staffers anywhere between $100 and $1,000 if they discovered and gave to him old rum bottles, plates, and other dishware. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, This password will be used to sign into all, Photo: Gianfranco Gaglione/AP/Shutterstock, What We Know About Jeffrey Epsteins Pedophile Island, 39 Pairs of Sneakers to Upgrade Your Wardrobe, Im On the Hunt for the Best Sunscreens Without a White Cast, I Inherited Millions From My Mother, and Everyone Knows, Are There Any Healthier Alternatives to Gel Manicures?, 6 Stand-ups Analyze ChatGPTs Attempts to Steal Their Jobs, Julia Fox, Paris Hilton, and More of the Bestest Party Pics This Week. They conceded their actions likely broke the law, but that they tried to "make sure we weren't doing too many illegal things all at once.". "Never saw him though.". A growing TikTok food trend is the equivalent of goblin mode for your midday hunger pangs. ", A different reader added: "The statues look similar to those of Horus, the Egyptian god of the sky, wearing the Pschent, the double crown of Egypt. When I went back to the reader, they sent me a link to a YouTube video about Little St. James and claimed they had corresponded with the piano tuner via the comments underneath it. The 28,000-square-foot neoclassical townhouse first hit the market in July for nearly $90 million, but the price was cut shortly thereafter. Ghislaine Maxwell to ask appeals court to throw out sex trafficking Jeffrey Epstein Private Island Video Shows Temple, Creepy Directly ahead was a desk, about 10 feet long, made of dark wood. Splash News; Backgrid; James Messerschmidt for NY Post, HANDOUT/US District Court for the Southe/AFP via Getty Images, Sotheby's International Realty Santa Fe, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Ghislaine Maxwell appeals sex-trafficking conviction over fatal errors, Ghislaine Maxwell to use divorce settlement to pay for appeal: report, Salacious allegations against Epstein associates to be unsealed: report, Ghislaine Maxwells claim that Prince Andrew-Virginia Giuffre pic is fake is ridiculous: report. "Was there a few times to tune his piano," one read, referring to Epstein. In 2016, Epstein purchased the nearby Great St. James Island, which is approximately 165 acres, for $18 million. We've received your submission. Baron recounted his experience visiting Little St. James over several interviews with Insider. Verdict: Initially believable, but provably false. A former IT contractor who worked for Epstein from 1999 through 2005 also shed light on what was to be found inside Epsteins residence: countless photos of nude women. The structure that was erected has no windows or stone exterior on its front and appears to rise at least 30 feet. But why would at least three people the boat captain, the contractor, and the YouTube user convey superficially plausible stories about the structure, sometimes in exacting detail, that didn't withstand basic scrutiny? He later told The Virgin Islands Daily News that at the end of those six years he cut off contact with Epstein entirely. Then she hung up. Parties with Guerlain, Margiela, and more. ", Another reader sent an annotated photo, below, that described the statues as harpies, the half-bird, half-human creatures of Greek and Roman mythology. However, the pair claimed they were forced to flee the secluded setting when they were chased away by staff, who they discovered are still working on the island after just 30 minutes. As for the statue, or statues, of Horus: The available evidence is inconclusive. That is a little embarrassing to admit, with its connotations of Scooby-Doo and alien abductions. Horus was in control of the sun and the moon. (In a statement, a spokesperson for his former employer called this claim demonstrably false and defamatory.). Epstein'sseven-story mansion on East 71st Street was valued at $77 million in a 2019 court document. The men noted that the island likely wasn't empty the grass and pool looked cared for even though the FBI raided the island in August. Something went wrong, please try again later. Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. WebDon't miss any of Inside Edition's jeffrey epstein coverage. A shocking video filmed on Jeffrey Epsteins infamous Paedo Island reveals secret underground lairs and a bizarre sex temple with fake doors. "Every single one was on Epstein's flight logs," reads the on-screen text in They also got footage of a number of parked tractors and an ambulance, though it's unclear what they were being used for. The islands are estimated to be worth a combined $240 million today. Follow us on Facebook! Jeffrey Epstein "That seems like the cheapest temple you've ever seen I could've built it myself for $5,000.". It was Baron, and yes, he had tuned Epstein's piano. But questions remain over whether it was built according to the plans that were submitted to the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. There were photos of topless women everywhere, contractor Steve Scully told ABC News. The island's southwestern corner features an unusual blue-and-white-striped building that resembles a temple or place of worship. A woman who admitted having sex with a 13-year-old boy and becoming pregnant with his baby has avoided jail time. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Jones refers to the owl statue as "Moloch" throughout the film but never explains why. It has sadly become famous as being the location where much of his supposed abuse towards young girls took place. Since Epsteins death in 2019, dozens of alleged victims have come forward with sexual assault claims, forcing the executors of his estate Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn to set up a victims compensation fund to dole out damages. The island was later dubbed "Pedophile Island" and "Orgy Island" by locals, per the Los Angeles Times. A small structure downhill from the building has led some to believe it serves as a second entrance and suggest that the space extends into an underground lair. The bookcases went high enough to require a ladder. To support his account, Baron provided three phone numbers, one for Karen and two for Monique, that he used to call them in 2012. She appears to have broken off her engagement and is spending a lot of time with Tyga. Jeffrey Epstein's Island Temple Had a Piano and a Picture of the The general public has no idea what really went on at Little St. James, let alone what the inside of any of the buildings looks like. It's no surprise that Epstein would have wanted a grand music room on his private island. Bill Gates is the only person in the video whose name appears on Jeffrey Epstein's flight logs, which show he flew once in 2013 with the late disgraced financier and convicted sex offender. Though much of what transpired on the island has remained the subject of rumor, its likely that more concrete details will soon emerge: On Monday, at least a dozen FBI agents raided Epsteins Little St. James residence, a bureau spokesman told NBC News. They confirmed earlier reports that the exterior of the building is comprised of flat walls but painted in such a way to give the appearance of dimension. Both also pointed out the temples questionable wooden door, which features a reinforcing lock bar. Best The video follows the pair as they probe the $28.2 million islands secrets giving an insight into the lifestyle of the perverted billionaire. Whats on Jeffrey Epsteins Private Island? - YouTube A death notice for Epstein's father, Seymour, appeared in The Palm Beach Post on December 16, 1991; a notice for his mother, Pauline (under her nickname, Paula), appeared on April 23, 2004. Its gold dome flew off during the deadly 2017 hurricane season.". A small building on Little St. James, the Caribbean island estate of Jeffrey Epstein. NOW WATCH: VIDEO: How did Jeffrey Epstein's address book end up in the hands of a communist farmer in Vermont? "Absolutely. It wouldn't fit the first time they tried (it was 1200 lbs). Epstein ultimately struck a 2008 deal that spared him the prospect of a long federal prison sentence. Maybe Scully never entered the building and only heard about its interior from someone else. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Jeffrey Epsteins Little St. James Island: What We Know - The Cut The assumption that Epstein acted according to a certain logic, and that that logic could be ascertained through research and reporting, seemed less and less certain. Desperate Sarah Ransome claimed she made her dramatic escape bid after being raped multiple times on Little St James. Now the spotlight is on three other deaths that are linked to the case. That's the right location. Search warrants reveal that police discovered a knife and a gun while investigating Bryan Kohbergers car and his family home. But it also points to yet another mystery, one that may never be answered: What was Jeffrey Epstein doing on the rest of his island, and with whom? Walgreens Wont Distribute Abortion Pills in 20 States. The claim: Obama's Medal of Freedom recipients appear on Epstein's flight logs. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. No stairs, no elevator. During Paris Fashion Week, Anrealage used technology to make colors appear. The island remains in contention between the courts and Epsteins estate today but it is expected to go on sale in the coming year, sources told The Post. The Post has obtained current aerial images of the vast properties where Epstein and Maxwell lived large, in addition to haunting interior photographs that were recently revealed in court. But even if the building's motif alludes to the sexual culture of a society that ended more than 1,400 years ago, Greek pederasty was a male phenomenon. Footage appears to show the them at the huge sundial, as well as the blue and white 'temple' that sits atop a hill. Not a lot in there except an absolutely huge 1960s Baldwin Model D concert grand piano and some furniture.". And it would be strange for a reader to use their real name to lie about what a local boat captain told them about a particular building on Epstein's private island. The clip taken by an anti-corruption organisation also shows the seedy outdoor massage room where underage girls would pamper the registered sex offender. Read more: A look inside Jeffrey Epstein's real-estate portfolio, from the Florida and NYC mansions where sex trafficking reportedly took place to the private island in the Caribbean that was raided by the FBI. A Feb. 21 Instagram video ( direct link, archive link) shows a series of clips of former I am uncomfortable having received money from someone who has been accused of these egregious actions multiple times, Plaskett said. The New York City Medical Examiners Office ruled the death a suicide. "Every single one was on Epstein's flight logs," reads the on-screen text in the video. Both said that funeral services would be held at Menorah Chapels, later known as Menorah Gardens & Funeral Chapel, in West Palm Beach, Florida. In July, ABC News spoke with an IT contractor named Steve Scully, who said he worked for Epstein and visited Little St. James more than 100 times. Up until his arrest in July 2019, the private island was considered his primary residence. When federal authorities raided the home, they found creepy artwork in the lair, including a painting that depicted Clinton wearing a blue dress and high heels while kicking his feet up in a chair. Jeffrey Epstein's Private Islands List for $125 Million: Photos The living area Image source / Mega I don't know who gave you my name." Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics. Stay up to date with what you want to know. According to Baron's notes, it was manufactured by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, whose piano-manufacturing operations were acquired by Baldwin Piano Company in 1988. The two said they eventually fled when one of them spotted people driving around the island in golf carts. I didnt even think about it it was just, get me away.. Here's what he remembers about the interior: On both visits, after Baron finished tuning the piano, the same golf-cart driver took him back to the island's dock, where the same boat captain returned him to St. Thomas. Made up of 7,600 acres, the compound is located south of Sante Fe. Additionally, the former prime minister of Israel Ehud Barak told the Daily Beast that he had visited the island, though he explicitly said that he did not meet Epstein in the company of women or young girls.. Luke Rudkowski of We Are Change and Jeff Berwick sneaked onto Epsteins private island, Little St James, three months after FBI agents raided the luxury Caribbean hideaway. is quite dangerous technology, but Bill Gates says theres no threat, Police: Body found in rental vehicle at Hertz rental facility in Gates. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. One of the more remarkable features of the building is its exterior treatment: Wide, horizontal stripes, alternating between azure and white, that bend toward the tops of the windows and door. Baron is almost certainly not the only person who stepped inside the blue-and-white building. They shared footage from the island to their YouTube and TikTok accounts - appearing to visit some of the more famous landmarks on the 70-acre tropical paradise. While the two sides were still hashing out the agreement, Epstein was moving forward with plans to triple the size of his 8,124-square-foot island residence and add a new pool, spa and underground theater, according to permit records viewed by NBC News. Epstein Poles bearing American flags went up. It suddenly occurred to me that he could have tuned a piano in one of the other buildings on Little St. James. "The government prosecuted Ms. Maxwell as a proxy for Jeffrey Epstein" to Everything We Know About the University of Idaho Murders. There are several variations of this theory, but many seem to stem from the presence of two birdlike statues perched on the building's roof. I almost want to say it was the direction of where the parents lived." He didn't recognize the name of the reader who referred me to him. I asked Baron what he thought the building was used for. Dollar Vigilante author Jeff Berwick and Luke Rudkowski, of the organization We Are Change, shot the video on Little St. James, telling viewers they had unsuccessfully pleaded with multiple boat captains to take them there, eventually convincing one to drop them off for "five seconds.". Epstein died by suicide in August, not long after being arrested and charged with sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy. Epstein purchased Little St. James, which spans over 70 acres, in 1998 for only $7.95 million at the time. The island has, over the years, gained a handful of sinister nicknames: Orgy Island, Pedophile Island, and Island of Sin. (Epstein, Bloomberg reports, preferred the nickname Little St. Jeffs.). Why did Jeffrey Epstein's private jet fly to Riyadh on the eve of the 2016 election? The bookcases were filled with hardcover bestsellers.