Overview of the Property
Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch was a sprawling 10,000-acre estate located outside Stanley, New Mexico in Santa Fe County, purchased in the early 1990s. The main compound included a 26,700-square-foot main residence, multiple guest houses, a landing strip suitable for private aircraft, stables, and a caretaker’s residence. Epstein reportedly spent significant time there and used the property to receive prominent scientists and other contacts.
The estate was one of the most secluded of Epstein’s properties, accessible via private aircraft and surrounded by vast open land. Former employees described a staff of several full-time workers including a caretaker family, housekeepers, and groundskeepers. The remote location and controlled access made it among the more private of Epstein’s properties.
Known Visitors
New Mexico became an important node in Epstein’s social network with elite scientists and academics. Visitor logs and testimony from multiple sources indicate that physicists, evolutionary biologists, and other researchers attended gatherings at the ranch, often in connection with Epstein’s interest in the Santa Fe Institute. Epstein used the setting to cultivate relationships with academics, providing hospitality and funding discussions in return for access.
Several victims have testified in civil and criminal proceedings that they were trafficked to the New Mexico property. Court documents reference the ranch as one of the locations where abuse occurred. One victim’s account, included in the 2019 SDNY criminal complaint, specifically referenced travel to the “New Mexico ranch” and described abuse there.
Documented Incidents and Investigations
New Mexico state authorities launched their own investigation into Epstein’s activities at Zorro Ranch following his 2019 federal arrest. The office of then-Attorney General Hector Balderas pursued a state-level case, citing evidence that Epstein’s crimes extended to New Mexico. Investigators reviewed employment and immigration records for staff at the ranch and interviewed multiple individuals who had worked or been brought there.
A key question in state proceedings was whether Epstein had used temporary worker visa programs to bring foreign nationals to the ranch under conditions investigators characterized as labor exploitation. Some workers reportedly received minimal pay and had their documents controlled. No state criminal charges had been filed before Epstein’s death, and the investigation was complicated by his subsequent death and the federal government’s claim of jurisdiction.
Infrastructure and Unique Features
The ranch contained a private airstrip used regularly by Epstein’s aircraft, providing direct access without the need for commercial airports or flight manifests filed through public facilities. Guest quarters were designed to accommodate visiting researchers for extended stays. Epstein maintained an extensive library at the property focused on scientific and mathematical texts.
After Epstein’s death, Zorro Ranch passed to his estate, managed by his co-executors Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn. The property was listed for sale as part of the estate’s asset liquidation to fund the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program. It was sold in 2021. Proceeds contributed to the compensation fund established to pay settlements to Epstein’s victims.
Post-Death Status
The ranch sale generated tens of millions of dollars for the estate. Former workers and victims filed claims related to activities at the property through the compensation program. New Mexico’s investigation into possible state liability for officials who may have been aware of Epstein’s activities there continued into 2025 as a legislative inquiry.