Russian Tycoon Mentioned in Epstein Files Found Dead in Elite Moscow Complex
A flamboyant Russian tycoon, who was referenced in the notorious Epstein files and described Ghislaine Maxwell as his 'soulmate', has been discovered deceased with gunshot wounds within an exclusive residential complex in Moscow. Umar Dzhabrailov, aged 67, a former senator who once contested Vladimir Putin in the 2000 presidential election and finished last, was found in a pool of blood at the Vesper Tverskaya complex on Tverskaya Street in central Moscow.
Police Investigation and Daughter's Allegations
Law enforcement authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, with preliminary conclusions suggesting he may have taken his own life. A Luger pistol was recovered at the scene, although no suicide note was located, according to official sources. However, his daughter, Alvina Dzhabrailova, 32, has vehemently disputed this account in an emotional video statement. She claimed that her father was 'killed because he's linked to the Epstein files' and was effectively 'silenced'.
Alvina admitted to having spoken with him recently and asserted 'he didn't kill himself', though she acknowledged being 'emotional' and confessed she 'didn’t really like him very much'. This contradictory testimony adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.
Colourful Life and Controversial Connections
Dzhabrailov led an extraordinarily colourful and controversial life. An ethnic Chechen who self-identified as a 'gangster', he was known for always carrying a firearm. He had a well-documented 'friendship' with supermodel Naomi Campbell and served as the inspiration for a Chechen gangster character in Frederick Forsyth's novel, Icon. Additionally, he once dated Ksenia Sobchak, a television star, former Playboy model, and the goddaughter of Vladimir Putin.
In recent statements, Dzhabrailov expressed concern for Russians stranded in the Middle East due to US military actions and spoke fondly of sharing his life experiences with younger generations. He was also facing reported business difficulties linked to the war in Ukraine, with his company's bank accounts being frozen just ten days prior to his death.
Epstein and Maxwell Links
The tycoon's connection to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal has drawn significant attention. He publicly stated, 'I knew Epstein. I was introduced to him by Ghislaine Maxwell, a soulmate of mine.' Dzhabrailov expressed regret over Maxwell receiving a life sentence for child sex trafficking, calling her 'the most charming woman', but claimed he never imagined their criminal partnership.
He offered advice to young men, emphasising respect for women: 'You must respect the woman in every girl. You must be gentlemen, cavaliers, knights... I'm a gentleman, I'm a cavalier, I'm a knight. I am a sophisticated, subtle connoisseur and expert on women's hearts and natures. I am a gangster.'
History of Violence and Legal Troubles
Dzhabrailov's past was marred by incidents of violence and legal entanglements. Nine years ago, he was fined £5,800 for firing a Yarygin pistol into the air at the Four Seasons Hotel, located mere yards from the Kremlin. He also admitted to being interrogated 'a hundred times' by Russian secret services concerning the 1996 contract killing of his American business partner, Paul Tatum, in a Moscow subway—a murder that became one of the most controversial crimes of the lawless post-Soviet 1990s. Dzhabrailov consistently denied any involvement in Tatum's death.
The pair had jointly managed the Radisson Slavyanskaya Hotel in Moscow. Following the shooting, Dzhabrailov was barred from travelling to the United States but later represented his native Chechnya in the Russian parliament. Reports also linked him to German supermodel Claudia Schiffer.
Recollections and Final Days
Ksenia Sobchak remembered Dzhabrailov fondly, describing him as 'a handsome man, a man who could recite poems by Khayyam or Brodsky to me by heart. Well-educated, gallant…'. She reminisced about their 'fantastic love affair', which included her first private jet experience, meetings with world-class celebrities, and introductions to high-fashion boutiques.
It was reported that Dzhabrailov had recovered from an 'attempted suicide' six years prior to this incident. He was rushed to hospital with a gunshot wound to the head but died without regaining consciousness. The investigation into his sudden and violent death continues, with authorities weighing the evidence against the passionate claims of his daughter.
