Jeffrey Epstein signed $577m will two days before death, court documents reveal
Jeffrey Epstein signed a will two days before he killed himself in jail, court records show.
Court papers filed in the US Virgin Islands, where Epstein owned two isles, list no details of beneficiaries but valued his estate at more than $577m (£477m), including more than $56m (£46m) in cash.
The existence of the will raised questions about Epstein’s final days inside the Metropolitan Correctional Center, where he was awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.
Epstein signed the document on 8 August and was found dead in his cell less than 48 hours later.
On Monday, prosecutors moved to dismiss the indictment against Epstein, but said they are considering charging others with facilitating his alleged abuse of dozens of girls.
The filing of the will, meanwhile, had been closely followed by lawyers representing women who claim they were sexually abused by Epstein when they were teenagers and recruited into his residences to provide him massages.
Several attorneys vowed to go after his assets even if the will had named beneficiaries, as Epstein’s death means there will be no trial on the criminal charges against him.
One woman filed suit against the estate last week, claiming Epstein repeatedly raped her when she was a teenager.
One of the lawyers, Lisa Bloom, wrote in an email: “Give his entire estate to his victims. It is the only justice they can get.
“And they deserve it. And on behalf of the Epstein victims I represent, I intend to fight for it.”
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According to the petition to the court, Epstein’s personal property also included $18m (£15m) in planes, cars and boats, more than $112m (£93m) worth of equities, and nearly $200m (£165m) in “hedge funds & private equity investments”.
He also owned shares of a corporation valued at nearly $56m (£46m) that holds title to a home on East 71st street in Manhattan, and others that hold title to a $17m (£14m) property in New Mexico, and a $12m (£10m) home in Palm Beach.
The petition also lists shares worth over $22m (£18m) of a corporation that holds title to Great St. James Island, and nearly $64m (£53m) to another that holds title to Little St. James Island, both in the Virgin Islands.
Among the properties that will be subject to appraisal and valuation are his collection of fine arts, antiques and other collectibles.
William Blum, an attorney for Epstein’s estate, said in a statement that any debts or claims against the estate will be “fairly administered”. He said the document was Epstein’s original last will.
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It comes after William Barr, the US attorney general, removed the acting chief of the federal Bureau of Prisons following Epstein’s suicide.
An autopsy report released on Friday concluded Epstein hanged himself.
Additional reporting by agencies
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