FBI Alerted to 'Death Bell' at Epstein Ranch Seven Years Before Property Search
Investigators have initiated a formal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's secluded Zorro Ranch in New Mexico, following the release of new documents from the Epstein Files. The property, spanning 8,000 acres, is now under scrutiny for potentially housing a stolen historic artefact known as the "death bell," as well as disturbing allegations of buried bodies on the premises.
Historic Artefact and Sinister Claims Surface
The "death bell" is a centuries-old artefact originally from the San Jose de Gracia Mission Church in Las Trampas, New Mexico. This church, designated a National Historic Landmark and constructed in 1760, lost the bell during a renovation project in the 1930s. The bell earned its eerie moniker from its use during funeral services at the church. Crafted from gold and silver, it vanished nearly a century ago, only to resurface in allegations tied to Epstein's ranch.
According to documents released as part of the Epstein Files, the FBI in Albuquerque received a tip in November 2019 from an individual who recalled seeing the ranch featured in a local real estate magazine around 2014 or 2015. This person reported noticing a bell in images of the property that bore a striking resemblance to the missing "death bell." Despite this lead, authorities did not conduct a physical search of the ranch at that time.
Delayed Investigation and New Allegations
Epstein was arrested in 2019, and while law enforcement searched his New York City townhouse, they never entered his New Mexico home. The FBI did undertake some preliminary actions regarding the stolen bell claims, including capturing drone images of the property and examining online photographs from a wedding held on-site. However, a report from that period concluded, "At this time, we don't believe there are items still located in the residence that would be of value to the investigation," leading to the abandonment of further inquiries into Zorro Ranch.
The recent release of documents has raised significant questions about this decision, particularly in light of new, shocking allegations. An anonymous email sent in 2019 to Eddy Aragon, a radio host and former mayoral candidate, claimed that Epstein had ordered the burial of "two foreign girls" in the hills outside Zorro Ranch. The email, purportedly from a former staff member at the ranch, detailed that the girls died by strangulation during rough, fetish sex. Aragon forwarded this email to the FBI, and it is now among the millions of documents made public.
Current Developments and Public Appeal
Under the direction of New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, a search of Zorro Ranch was launched this week, spurred by the new information from the Epstein Files. The New Mexico Department of Justice has issued a call to the public, urging anyone with credible knowledge of these events to come forward with tips. This move marks a significant shift from the initial inaction, as authorities now seek to uncover the truth behind the allegations of both the stolen "death bell" and the grim claims of buried bodies.
The investigation into Epstein's ranch underscores the ongoing complexities and dark mysteries surrounding the financier's properties, with this latest development highlighting a seven-year delay in pursuing critical leads that could shed light on historic thefts and potential crimes.
