New Mexico Authorities Launch Long Overdue Search of Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch Amid Stolen Artifact Claims

New Mexico authorities have begun searching Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch following reports of a stolen 300 year old church bell and alleged burial sites.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 12, 2026, 6:06 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Miami Herald

Historical Artifact Probe Triggers New Interest in Sprawling Estate

Federal documents recently made public reveal that the FBI’s Albuquerque office investigated claims that a stolen historical artifact was housed within Jeffrey Epstein’s New Mexico compound. The item in question is a death bell originally belonging to the San Jose de Gracia Mission Church in Las Trampas, a 1760 Spanish Colonial landmark. A tipster alerted authorities in 2019 after recalling images from a real estate magazine that appeared to show the artifact among a collection of colonial art inside the mansion.

Federal Authorities Face Criticism Over Delayed Search Warrants

Despite receiving multiple tips following Epstein’s 2019 arrest, including allegations of sexual assault on the property, federal agents did not execute a search warrant at the ranch at that time. The Department of Justice library indicates that while agents examined social media posts and drone photography of the front door, they concluded they lacked sufficient probable cause. This lack of immediate action has drawn fresh scrutiny as New Mexico authorities finally began their own search operations on Monday.

Unverified Tips Suggest Potential Burial Sites on Property

The current search efforts are partially fueled by a November 2019 email sent to a local radio host by an individual claiming to be a former employee of the ranch. The tipster alleged that Epstein had ordered the burial of two girls in the hills outside the main residence of the Zorro Ranch property. While federal investigators previously abandoned these leads citing a lack of evidence, the state of New Mexico has now opened a formal probe to investigate these claims of criminal activity.