Former staff at paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's secretive Zorro Ranch in New Mexico have been questioned about visits by Prince Andrew as part of a widening criminal investigation, sources have revealed.
Witness Interviews Underway
More than a dozen former employees, including housekeepers, ranch hands and managers, are being interviewed by investigators from the state's Department of Justice. They have been asked about high-profile guests who stayed at the sprawling 10,000-acre estate and what they witnessed during their time there.
Sources say the former Duke of York's visits are a key focus of the questioning. One justice source stated: "They're going back through everything. Anyone who worked there is being spoken to. They want a full picture of what went on."
The investigation, led by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, is examining a wide range of Epstein's visitors, including Prince Andrew. Detectives have vowed to follow any evidence wherever it leads.
Building a Picture of Ranch Activities
Investigators are trying to piece together what happened at Zorro Ranch, which has long been shrouded in secrecy. Former staff have described being contacted and asked for detailed accounts of their employment. Some have been questioned about day-to-day operations, while others have been asked about unusual activity and notable guests.
One former employee said: "They're asking about everything, particularly Prince Andrew and the other high-profile guests. Who stayed, how long they were there, what they were doing. It's very detailed. Nothing's being brushed over."
Those questioned have also been warned not to destroy any material connected to their time at the ranch. A former ranch hand added: "We've all been told the same thing: don't delete anything, don't throw anything away. They want every single detail from our time there."
This instruction suggests investigators believe important evidence may still exist years after Epstein's death in 2019.
Legal Support for the Probe
This week, the bipartisan investigatory subcommittee in New Mexico examining Epstein's life appointed the law firm Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway, P.C. as special counsel to support its criminal probe, which opened in February. The firm will help gather evidence, provide legal guidance and coordinate with the state's Department of Justice.
While most attention has previously focused on Epstein's properties in New York, Palm Beach and the Caribbean, Zorro Ranch has remained a key part of abuse allegations. Staff questioned include those who worked inside the main residence and those responsible for maintaining the grounds.
Among the areas of interest are guest lists, movements on and off the property, and who had access to different parts of the estate. Zorro Ranch has also been linked to deeply troubling claims about Epstein's long-term ambitions for the site, including reports that he discussed plans to turn the remote compound into a so-called "baby-making" facility where women would be brought to have children bearing his DNA.
Broader Connections Investigated
Sources say investigators are also asking about Brit Clare Iveagh, a regular visitor to Zorro who later married into the Guinness brewing dynasty. Lady Guinness died in December. Her connection to Epstein's wider circle is now part of the inquiry, as officials seek to determine relationships linked to the ranch.
It is not suggested that those being questioned have done anything wrong. They are being treated as potential witnesses, not suspects. However, the scope of the investigation is significant. Epstein, who died while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, maintained an extensive network of contacts across business, politics and royalty.
The former Duke of York has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. He has said he has no recollection of meeting Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse in a civil case in the United States. That case was later settled without any admission of liability.
The Mirror has approached the New Mexico Attorney General's office for comment.
