New Mexico Revives Probe into Epstein's Zorro Ranch Amid DNA Eugenics Allegations and Buried Bodies Claims

SANTA FE, New Mexico — February 19, 2026 — As fresh scrutiny falls on Jeffrey Epstein's sprawling Zorro Ranch, New Mexico lawmakers have launched a groundbreaking "truth commission" to investigate long-standing allegations of sexual abuse, human trafficking, and bizarre eugenics schemes at the property, where the late financier reportedly dreamed of seeding humanity with his DNA. This marks the first comprehensive state-level inquiry into the 7,600-acre desert estate, drawing parallels to federal raids on Epstein's other holdings but highlighting a glaring absence of forensic searches, including DNA collection, at the site.

The bipartisan panel, comprising four state House representatives and armed with $2.5 million in funding from a settlement with financial institutions linked to Epstein, convened its inaugural meeting this week. The commission aims to subpoena witnesses, review survivor testimonies, and examine why previous investigations stalled, potentially uncovering evidence of public corruption and overlooked crimes. An interim report is slated for July 31, 2026, with a final analysis by year's end.

"This is about justice for survivors and ensuring nothing like this happens again in New Mexico," said Rep. Andrea Romero, a Democrat co-leading the effort. "The federal government failed to fully investigate Zorro Ranch, leaving dark questions unanswered."

Central to the ranch's notoriety is Epstein's reported obsession with eugenics. According to accounts from scientists and associates, the convicted sex offender envisioned Zorro Ranch as a breeding ground for his genetic legacy, planning to impregnate multiple women with his sperm to "improve" the human race through transhumanist ideals. Though no evidence suggests the scheme was realized, it underscores the property's role in Epstein's fringe pursuits, including cryonics and genetic engineering.

These revelations echo broader investigations into Epstein's empire. Federal probes into his Palm Beach mansion, New York townhouse, and Little St. James island involved extensive forensic work, including DNA analysis from items like massage tables and personal effects, which bolstered cases against Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. In Maxwell's 2021 trial, DNA evidence linked victims to scenes of abuse at other properties. Yet, Zorro Ranch stands apart: Federal authorities explicitly confirmed in 2019 that they had not searched the site, and a state investigation initiated by then-Attorney General Hector Balderas was halted at the U.S. government's request to avoid overlapping efforts.

Adding urgency to the current probe are chilling claims from recently released Epstein files by the Department of Justice. A 2019 anonymous email alleged that two "foreign girls" were strangled during "rough, fetish sex" and buried in the hills near Zorro Ranch on orders from Epstein and Maxwell. New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has demanded a full DOJ investigation into these assertions, which, if pursued, could necessitate exhumations and DNA forensics to identify remains—mirroring techniques used in cold case homicides or mass grave inquiries elsewhere.

Survivors' accounts further paint Zorro Ranch as a hub of exploitation. Virginia Giuffre, Annie Farmer, and others have detailed being trafficked there for abuse, with Giuffre providing photos from the property and Farmer testifying to assaults by both Epstein and Maxwell. Ranch manager Brice Gordon informed the FBI in 2007 of Epstein's frequent visits with "masseuses," but the interview was cut short.

Critics, including victim advocates, argue the lack of prior forensics at Zorro Ranch represents a systemic failure. "The FBI never did a full forensic investigation," noted Rep. Melanie Stansbury after reviewing unredacted files. "Crimes were committed there, and people knew about it."

As the commission ramps up, including potential site visits, experts suggest DNA profiling could play a pivotal role if physical evidence like buried remains or abandoned items is uncovered—similar to how genetic genealogy has cracked decades-old cases in other high-profile investigations. For now, the probe symbolizes a push for accountability in a saga that continues to unravel, seven years after Epstein's death.

17GEN4.com