Washington, Feb 1 (.) Jeffrey Epstein’s recently unveiled final will revealed that the late convicted sex trafficker and businessman planned to leave a significant share of his fortune to his girlfriend just days before he died in federal custody.
Epstein signed the document on August 8, 2019 — two days before he was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. At the time, his estate was estimated to be worth around $288 million, consisting largely of high-end real estate and assets spread across multiple countries. The will was formally executed by his longtime lawyer, Darren Indyke, eight days after Epstein’s death.
Despite its detailed instructions and long list of beneficiaries, the will was never carried out as written. Instead, Epstein’s assets were transferred into a trust that has since been used to pay legal fees, taxes and compensation to victims. Court filings show that about $127 million remains in that trust today.
According to the will, Epstein intended for his girlfriend, Karyna Shuliak, to inherit several of his most infamous properties. These included Little Saint James in the U.S. Virgin Islands — widely known as “Pedophile Island” — Zorro Ranch in New Mexico, a Manhattan townhouse, and homes in Paris and Florida.
The document also listed a 33-carat diamond ring set in platinum for Shuliak, accompanied by a handwritten note from Epstein stating that it was given “in contemplation of marriage.” Investigators later confirmed that Shuliak was the last person known to have spoken with Epstein by phone before his death.
The will also earmarked large sums for Epstein’s inner circle. Indyke was listed to receive $50 million, while Epstein’s longtime accountant, Richard Kahn, was to inherit $25 million.
Smaller bequests of $10 million each were designated for Ghislaine Maxwell — Epstein’s former associate, now serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking — as well as for Epstein’s brother, Mark Epstein, and his longtime pilot, Larry Visoski.
Ultimately, however, none of those inheritances were paid, as the estate was instead folded into the victim compensation program, a move that redirected Epstein’s remaining wealth away from his named beneficiaries and toward civil settlements stemming from his crimes.
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