Newly released Justice Department records show that Jeffrey Epstein signed a will just two days before his death, outlining plans to leave a vast fortune to dozens of beneficiaries. The documents reveal he intended to give his girlfriend tens of millions of dollars, luxury properties, and a massive diamond ring.
Epstein executed the will on August 8, 2019, while he was jailed in Manhattan awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. He was found dead in his cell on August 10, 2019, in what authorities later ruled a suicide. (U.S. Department of Justice)
What Epstein Planned to Leave Behind
According to the documents, Epstein planned to leave an estimated $50 million to Karyna Shuliak, his last known girlfriend. He also intended to give her a nearly 33 carat diamond ring, described in the will as being offered “in contemplation of marriage.”
The will listed major real estate assets as well. These included Epstein’s Upper East Side townhouse in New York City, his New Mexico ranch known as Zorro Ranch, properties in Palm Beach and Paris, and his private island, Little Saint James, in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Dozens of Beneficiaries Named
Shuliak was one of at least 44 people named in the will. Other planned beneficiaries included Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, and his brother, Mark Epstein. Both were listed to receive $10 million each.
Epstein’s attorney, Darren Indyke, signed off on the will shortly after Epstein’s death. The timing of the document has drawn scrutiny because it was finalized while Epstein was in federal custody. (New York Times)
Why the Money Never Reached Them
Despite the detailed plans, none of the beneficiaries received the assets as outlined. Epstein’s estate was transferred into a trust shortly after his death.
The trust has since been used to compensate victims, cover legal fees, and pay other expenses. Court filings show that about $127 million remains, tied up in probate proceedings in the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Reuters)
A Case That Still Raises Questions
Epstein had previously pleaded guilty in Florida in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from a minor. Federal prosecutors later accused him of running a sex trafficking operation involving underage girls across multiple states.
In 2021, Maxwell was convicted in New York of helping recruit and abuse Epstein’s victims and is serving a 20 year prison sentence. She denies wrongdoing.
Why the Documents Matter Now
The release of Epstein’s will comes as the government continues to disclose millions of pages of records under new transparency requirements. The documents offer a clearer picture of Epstein’s wealth, relationships, and last actions before his death.
For victims and investigators alike, the will underscores how Epstein used money and power until the very end. As courts continue to process the remaining assets, the case remains a symbol of long standing failures to hold influential abusers fully accountable.