Skateboarding icon Tony Hawk has issued a firm rebuttal against what he describes as a "narrative of nonsense," after his name surfaced in the latest batch of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice concerning the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Hawk Emphatically Rejects Epstein Island Wedding Allegations
The 57-year-old athlete, whose name appeared in an October 2024 email from a Threat Intake Examiner reporting on an alleged human trafficking case involving Epstein, took to Instagram on Thursday to set the record straight. The email referenced claims that Hawk had gotten married on Epstein's private island, alongside mentions of Prince Edward.
"I apologize if they don't fit a narrative of nonsense," Hawk wrote in his Instagram Story, before providing a detailed timeline of his four marriages to counter the allegations.
Detailed Wedding Timeline Provided
Hawk meticulously outlined the locations of all his weddings:
- His first marriage to Cindy Dunbar in 1990 took place "at home" in Fallbrook, California.
- His second wedding to Erin Lee in 1996 was held at a Hilton hotel in San Diego.
- His third marriage to Lhotse Merriam in 2006 occurred on Tavarua Surf Island in Fiji.
- His fourth and current marriage to Cathy Goodman in 2015 was celebrated at Adare Manor in Ireland.
The skateboarding legend emphasized that none of these ceremonies had any connection to Epstein's island, stating unequivocally: "I never met [Jeffrey Epstein] and whose island I never visited."
Coincidental Name Connection
In a notable coincidence, Hawk revealed that his 2006 wedding photographer was named Mark Epstein—the same name as Jeffrey Epstein's younger brother. However, Hawk clarified that his photographer is "an accomplished action sports photographer from Wyoming and of no relation to Jeffrey Epstein."
Hawk apologized to his photographer for being "pulled into the misinformation vortex," tagging the photographer's accounts in his social media post.
Background on Epstein Case
Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in August 2019 at age 66 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges involving dozens of underage girls as young as 14. His arrest the previous month had followed years of allegations spanning from at least 2002 to 2005.
Since Epstein's death, survivors have joined lawmakers and the public in calling for the full release of the Department of Justice's investigation into his activities. The latest document release represents part of this ongoing process, though it has also generated unverified claims that public figures like Hawk have had to address.
Hawk concluded his statement with a firm declaration: "This is all easily verifiable information. Facts are not fungible."
