New Mexico has reopened a criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch following revelations in sealed FBI files, but sensational claims about two minors strangled after “rough, fetish sex” remain unverified and absent from credible reporting.
Verified Facts Behind the Investigation
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced his office reopened a criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s former 7,600-acre Zorro Ranch near Santa Fe. The decision followed revelations in sealed FBI files from the Department of Justice’s Epstein documents. Torrez’s office stated these files warrant further examination and pledged to follow facts wherever they lead. The state closed its initial 2019 investigation at the request of New York federal prosecutors, who subsequently failed to raid the property despite Epstein’s other properties being searched.
A bipartisan New Mexico House commission launched simultaneously, funded with $2.5 million from Attorney General settlement funds through unanimous legislation. Four lawmakers—Democrats Andrea Romero and Marianna Anaya, Republicans Andrea Reeb and Bill Hall—comprise the commission tasked with holding hearings, issuing subpoenas, and compelling witness testimony. The commission must deliver an interim report by July 31, 2026, with authority to extend its work beyond this year if necessary to complete its mission.
🤐 Epstein Island got all the headlines. But Zorro Ranch in New Mexico is shaping up to be the real horror story. And almost no one is covering it. pic.twitter.com/l2iq6eYPLe
— Redacted (@RedactedNews) February 20, 2026
Survivor Testimony and Documented Abuse
Multiple survivors provided testimony documenting sexual abuse at Epstein’s ranch spanning decades. Annie Farmer testified she was abused at age 16 by both Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell during the mid-1990s. Another survivor identified as “Jane” reported abuse following flights with Epstein and Maxwell to the property. Chauntae Davis stated she was raped twice at the ranch, while Virginia Giuffre confirmed visiting the location at age 17. These testimonies formed part of Maxwell’s 2021 trafficking conviction and now fuel the renewed state investigation.
Epstein purchased the property in 1993 from former Governor Bruce King and used its 26,700-square-foot mansion and private runway to fly in “masseuses” and host guests. Former ranch manager Brice Gordon reported to the FBI about the flow of guests and young women to the property. The ranch became locally known as “Playboy Ranch” and allegedly served as a site for orgies, rapes, and trafficking operations. Epstein also reportedly planned to use the location for DNA seeding through genetic engineering projects, revealing the disturbing scope of activities at the isolated compound.
Unverified Burial Allegations Under Scrutiny
A November 2019 anonymous email to law enforcement alleged two “foreign girls” were buried near the ranch on orders from Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The email’s author claimed knowledge of videos showing sex with minors at the property. New Mexico’s Department of Justice recently sought unredacted details of this email from federal authorities as part of its reopened investigation. However, credible sources confirm no evidence has surfaced to verify the specific claim of two minors strangled to death after “rough, fetish sex” as stated in viral headlines circulating online.
The discrepancy between unverified rumors and documented facts highlights a concerning pattern where sensational claims overshadow legitimate abuse allegations. Representative Andrea Romero emphasized the commission’s role in investigating government failures that allowed Epstein’s operation to continue unchecked, including New Mexico’s failure to register him as a sex offender following his 2008 Florida guilty plea. Representative Marianna Anaya stated the goal is creating pathways for justice for survivors while preventing future atrocities. This measured approach focuses on evidence-based investigation rather than speculation about unconfirmed deaths.
Property Ownership and Federal Inaction
The Epstein estate sold Zorro Ranch in 2023 to the family of Don Huffines, a Texas Republican gubernatorial candidate. The new owners renamed it San Rafael Ranch and plan to convert it into a Christian healing retreat. The Huffines family stated they had no prior knowledge of the property’s history when purchasing it at auction. Meanwhile, the federal government’s failure to raid Zorro Ranch stands in contrast to its actions at Epstein’s New York townhouse and Little St. James island, both of which were searched following his 2019 arrest.
State lawmakers cited this federal inaction as justification for New Mexico’s independent investigation. The bipartisan commission holds subpoena power and can compel testimony from witnesses who may have avoided federal scrutiny. This state-level action represents a victory for accountability when federal authorities appeared to deprioritize certain aspects of the Epstein investigation. For Americans frustrated with government cover-ups and elite privilege, New Mexico’s willingness to pursue justice independently demonstrates how state sovereignty can counter federal negligence in protecting vulnerable citizens from predatory networks.
Sources:
Time – New Mexico Launches Investigation Into Epstein’s Zorro Ranch
ABC News – New Mexico Reopens Investigation Into Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch