News of multiple murders: How Jeffrey Epstein is connected to it
The July 2020 shooting at the home of federal Judge Esther Salas remains one of the most chilling attacks on the American judiciary in recent memory. A gunman arrived at the Salas residence in North Brunswick, New Jersey, dressed as a FedEx delivery driver. The assault claimed the life of her twenty-year-old son, Daniel Anderl, and left her husband, Mark Anderl, seriously wounded. Salas herself escaped injury only because she was in the basement at the time. The attack occurred days after she had been assigned a high-profile class-action lawsuit against Deutsche Bank that referenced Jeffrey Epstein as one of the bank’s high-risk clients. Initial coverage raised questions about possible connections, yet official findings later ruled out any link to the Epstein matter.
The shooting
Daniel Anderl was killed at the front door. Mark Anderl was shot multiple times and survived after emergency surgery. The FBI later confirmed that Salas was the intended target. The gunman, identified as Roy Den Hollander, posed as a delivery driver to gain access. Law-enforcement agencies from the FBI to the New Jersey State Police responded immediately, and the case quickly moved from local investigation to a federal priority. Mark Anderl recovered from his injuries and returned home. The family has since spoken about the lasting impact of that Sunday evening in measured, private terms.
High-profile cases
Esther Salas was appointed to the federal bench in 2011 and continues to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey. She has handled a range of prominent matters, including the fraud case against “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Teresa Giudice. Four days before the shooting, she was assigned Karimi v. Deutsche Bank, a class-action suit alleging the bank failed to monitor high-risk clients that included Jeffrey Epstein. The complaint also claimed Deutsche Bank made misleading statements about its anti-money-laundering controls. Official findings have since established that the attack on the Salas family was unrelated to this case or to Epstein’s financial dealings.
Judicial Security Reforms
The tragedy prompted concrete legislative change. In December 2022, Congress passed the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act. The law restricts data brokers from selling judges’ personal information and requires removal of such data upon request. Salas worked with lawmakers and advocacy groups to shape the protections. Supporters described the measure as the first major federal response to rising threats against the judiciary in decades. Implementation has required coordination between the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and private data companies.
Ongoing Threats to the Judiciary
The U.S. Marshals Service recorded hundreds of threats against federal judges in both 2024 and 2025. Salas has addressed the climate of intimidation in public remarks, noting that some threats reference her son’s name directly. A 2021 60 Minutes segment and subsequent updates have kept the issue in national view. Court security officials report that many threats now arrive through social media and encrypted apps, complicating traditional monitoring. Salas has urged leaders to avoid rhetoric that could encourage copycat behavior.
Daniel Anderl's Legacy and Family Remembrance
Daniel Anderl would have turned twenty-five in July 2025. His parents established Danny’s Pantry, a charity that supports food-insecure families in New Jersey. Salas continues her judicial work while speaking occasionally about the need for both security and civility. Friends and colleagues describe the family’s approach as steady and private, focused on measurable outcomes rather than public mourning. The pantry operates through local nonprofits and has expanded its reach since its founding.
Resolution of the Investigation
Roy Den Hollander was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in New York’s Catskills on July 20, 2020. Authorities matched the weapon to an earlier murder of men’s-rights activist Marc Angelucci in California. The FBI confirmed Den Hollander as the sole suspect in the Salas attack and attributed the motive to personal and ideological grievances rather than the Deutsche Bank case. No credible evidence has surfaced tying the shooting to Epstein or to any financial investigation. The case is closed.
Suspect apprehended
Den Hollander had previously filed lawsuits against female judges and publicly criticized Salas, calling her “lazy and incompetent.” He was known in certain circles as a vocal “men’s rights” activist. After the attack, investigators recovered evidence linking him to both the Salas shooting and the Angelucci murder. New Jersey political leaders, including Senator Bob Menendez and Governor Phil Murphy, issued statements of support for the family in the immediate aftermath. Daniel Anderl had planned to follow his parents into the legal profession.
