Ghislaine Maxwell spent approximately one year in hiding after Jeffrey Epstein’s arrest in July 2019 until her own arrest on July 2, 2020.
After Epstein was arrested on July 6, 2019, Maxwell largely disappeared from public view. She was not initially charged, but her name featured prominently in Epstein’s indictment and in numerous civil lawsuits. The public and media began asking where she was.
Rumors and false reports: During this period, there were numerous unverified sightings. A widely shared photograph purportedly showed Maxwell at an In-N-Out Burger in Los Angeles, but its authenticity was disputed. A tabloid photo appeared to show her reading a book in a park — with what appeared to be a blurred reflection of her own publicist’s name in the photo’s metadata, suggesting a deliberate staged appearance.
The actual location: The FBI ultimately located Maxwell at a 156-acre property in Bradford, New Hampshire, called Tuckedaway Farm. She had purchased the property through a shell company in late 2019, three months before Epstein’s death. The property offered privacy and seclusion.
The arrest: On July 2, 2020, FBI agents surrounded the property. Maxwell tried to avoid them initially, but was taken into custody without incident. She was transported to New York to face federal charges.
She was charged with sex trafficking and related offenses. Her bail application — requesting she be released with an ankle monitor — was denied. She was held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn until her trial in November–December 2021.