Epstein Island in 2026: What's Happened to Little St. James

Little St. James: Current Status

Jeffrey Epstein's private island — Little St. James in the U.S. Virgin Islands — was once the most notorious property in the Epstein case. In 2026, the island's status reflects the broader arc of the case: legal proceedings continue, new revelations from the DOJ Epstein Library have shed additional light on what occurred there, and the property itself has undergone significant changes.

The Property

Location and History

Little St. James is a 71.5-acre island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, located southeast of St. Thomas. According to property records and media reporting:

• Epstein purchased the island in 1998 for approximately $7.95 million
• He constructed numerous buildings on the island, including a main residence, guest houses, a helipad, and various other structures
• The island featured a distinctive blue-and-white striped building that became an object of public speculation
• Epstein also owned nearby Great St. James, a larger but less developed island

The Estate and Sale

Following Epstein's death in August 2019 and the subsequent legal proceedings, the islands became assets of the Epstein estate. According to the New York Times and the Associated Press:

• The USVI Attorney General's enforcement action against the estate included claims related to the properties
• The estate reached agreements to sell the islands as part of broader settlements with the USVI government
• Proceeds from property sales contributed to victim compensation and government claims
• The islands were marketed for sale through traditional real estate channels

What the DOJ Files Reveal About the Island

The January 2026 release of 3.5 million pages through the DOJ Epstein Library included documents specifically related to activities on Little St. James. According to media analysis of the released files:

Construction and Operations

• Documents detail the construction and staffing of the island compound
• Records show that Epstein employed numerous staff on the island, including domestic workers, groundskeepers, and security personnel
• Construction records indicate extensive modifications and additions to the property over many years
• Supply and logistics records document the movement of people and materials to and from the island

Visitor Records

The released files contain records related to visitors to the island, according to media reporting:

• Flight logs documenting travel to the island's private airstrip
• Boat manifests for trips between St. Thomas and Little St. James
• Communication records about scheduled visits
• Staff accounts of activities and visitors

Important context: Being documented as having visited the island does not imply knowledge of or participation in criminal activity. The island served as a private residence and social venue, and many visitors had legitimate purposes for their visits.

Law Enforcement Activity

According to the released files, law enforcement agencies conducted multiple evidence-gathering activities on the island:

• FBI searches following Epstein's July 2019 arrest, which yielded electronic media, documents, and physical evidence
• USVI law enforcement inspections
• Evidence collected was used in the Maxwell prosecution and other proceedings

The USVI Enforcement Action

The U.S. Virgin Islands government has played a significant role in the legal proceedings involving the island. According to official filings and media reporting:

• The USVI AG filed an enforcement action in January 2020 alleging the islands were used as part of a criminal enterprise
• The USVI government argued that Epstein's use of USVI-registered entities facilitated his criminal activities
• Settlement negotiations between the estate and the USVI government addressed property disposition, financial penalties, and victim restitution
• The USVI government has maintained oversight of the properties through the legal proceedings

Demolition and Redevelopment

According to reporting by the Associated Press and the New York Times, structures on Little St. James have been subject to demolition and removal:

• Several buildings associated with the Epstein compound have been demolished
• The distinctive blue-and-white striped building was among structures removed
• Demolition was part of the broader disposition of the property
• Future development plans depend on the eventual purchaser

Great St. James

Epstein also owned Great St. James, a larger neighboring island of approximately 165 acres. According to media reporting:

• Epstein had begun development on Great St. James, including clearing land and constructing roads
• The development was controversial locally and drew environmental complaints
• Great St. James has been included in the estate's property disposition
• The island was less developed than Little St. James and was not as central to the criminal allegations

What the Wexner Deposition Added

Les Wexner's February 2026 congressional deposition added new information about the island. According to media reporting, Wexner testified that:

• He had visited Little St. James, confirming long-rumored visits
• He characterized his visits as social in nature
• He denied witnessing criminal activity during his time on the island
• The financial relationship between Wexner and Epstein, which exceeded $1 billion, was relevant to the island's acquisition and development

What We Know and What We Don't

Based on official records and verified reporting:

• Little St. James was central to the criminal allegations against Epstein
• The FBI conducted evidence searches on the island in 2019
• The USVI government has taken enforcement action against the estate
• DOJ Epstein Library files contain island-related documents
• Structures on the island have been demolished
• Wexner confirmed visiting the island under oath

What remains unknown:

• The complete scope of activities that occurred on the island
• The full list of individuals who visited and in what capacity
• Whether all evidence from the island has been processed and analyzed
• The ultimate disposition of the properties
• Whether island-related evidence will feature in future prosecutions

Primary Sources

1. USVI Attorney General, enforcement action — vi.gov
2. New York Times, island status reporting — nytimes.com
3. Associated Press, property updates — apnews.com
4. Reuters, estate developments — reuters.com
5. DOJ Epstein Library, island documents — justice.gov

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For the complete history of Epstein's island, see our Epstein Island topic page. Read about the Wexner deposition or explore the full case timeline.