Little St. James: Revisit the sinister Jeffrey Epstein island two years later

Even after the 2020 docuseries Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich laid bare the scale of his crimes, the places tied to those crimes continue to draw attention. Little St. James, the private island Epstein owned in the U.S. Virgin Islands, remains one of the most scrutinized. The property earned grim nicknames during the height of reporting, and the questions it raises have not faded with time. Two years after the original article, the record now includes a completed sale, a resolved lawsuit, and new official footage released in late 2025. The island’s physical features and its legal aftermath both require a clearer timeline.

Pretty (Odd) Little Lies

The island’s distinctive structures, including the blue temple, the large sundial, and the plastic cow on the beach, have stayed visible in later coverage. Early visitors after Epstein’s 2019 death documented those features when the property briefly opened to outsiders. Survivor Chauntae Davies appeared in photographs taken during that window, though the identities of others in the group were never confirmed. A secluded house on the grounds was under security at the time. The 2025 release of House Oversight Committee footage from a 2020 walkthrough showed interior rooms and the pool area, confirming the same architectural details that had appeared in earlier public images. Those elements remain the most consistent markers of the island’s layout.

The long arm of the law

The Virgin Islands Attorney General filed suit against Epstein’s estate in January 2020 seeking control of both Little St. James and Great St. James. The complaint detailed allegations that young women had been brought to the islands for sexual exploitation and domestic labor, and it targeted shell companies tied to Epstein’s operations. Ghislaine Maxwell filed a separate claim in March 2020. The 2020 lawsuit reached settlement in 2022 for more than $105 million, with half of the eventual sale proceeds directed to the Virgin Islands government. Those funds supported victim compensation programs alongside other estate distributions.

For Sale

By early 2021 the estate had exhausted cash reserves for the Epstein Victims Compensation Fund and listed its properties, including the islands. The New York and Palm Beach residences sold first, restoring the fund’s ability to accept claims. Little St. James stayed on the market until May 2023, when Stephen Deckoff through SD Investments completed the purchase of both islands for $60 million. The transaction closed the estate’s long-running effort to liquidate assets.

Current Ownership and Development Status

Deckoff’s stated intention was to open a 25-room luxury resort by 2025. As of early 2026, no major construction permits for the resort have been submitted. Public records show only a warehouse permit application. Aerial views of the islands continue to show the original structures with no visible new resort work. The 70-acre Little St. James and the larger Great St. James remain under single ownership, yet the timeline for any hospitality project has slipped without a revised opening date.

Lawsuit Resolutions and Settlements

The 2022 settlement tied directly to the island sale. Fifty percent of the $60 million purchase price went to the Virgin Islands government under the agreement. That allocation formed part of broader estate payouts that included victim compensation. No further litigation over the islands has been reported since the settlement was finalized.

Ongoing Public Interest and Unauthorized Access

Interest from content creators has continued despite the change in ownership. YouTubers and influencers produced videos on or near the islands in 2026 following additional Epstein file releases. The new owner’s LLC has filed trespass actions against several individuals who entered without permission. Enforcement remains limited to civil complaints rather than widespread physical barriers.

Recent Document Releases and Archival Footage

In December 2025 the House Oversight Committee made public a set of 2020 walkthrough videos and photographs. The materials include bedroom interiors, the pool area, and other previously restricted spaces. These records provide the clearest official visual record of the island’s condition at the time of Epstein’s arrest and have been referenced in later reporting on both properties.

The island’s legal and physical status has moved past the open-tourist and for-sale phases described in 2021. Ownership is now settled, the primary lawsuit has closed, and development remains stalled. The structures that once drew public curiosity still stand, and new official images have added detail without changing the fundamental record of what occurred there.