For years, Jeffrey Epstein’s private island Little Saint James in the US Virgin Islands existed in the public imagination largely through aerial photographs, survivor testimony, and speculation. That changed in December 2025 when the House Oversight Committee released something the world had never seen before: photographic and video evidence from inside the island’s buildings.
The images are disturbing. They are also significant. Here is everything you need to know about what was released, what the photos show and why they matter to one of the most closely watched criminal investigations in modern history.
What Was Released and Who Released It?
On December 3, 2025, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee published a collection of 10 photographs and video footage showing the interior and exterior of Epstein’s Little Saint James Island. The images were taken in 2020 by US Virgin Island authorities after Epstein’s death as part of a criminal investigation into his activities.
Rep. Robert Garcia, the Democratic ranking member on the committee, stated clearly why the images were being made public. His office described them as “a disturbing look into the world of Jeffrey Epstein and his island,” adding that releasing the photos and video was about ensuring public transparency and helping “piece together the full picture of Epstein’s horrific crimes.”
The release followed a letter sent by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer in mid-November 2025 to the Virgin Island Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea, requesting all documents and communications related to federal and local criminal investigations of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
What Do the Images Show?
The released images provide the most detailed publicly available look inside Little Saint James Island to date. Here is what each key image contains.
Bedrooms
Multiple photographs show bedrooms within the main residence on the island. The rooms appear furnished but are completely empty of people no individuals are pictured in any of the released images.
Bathrooms and Shower Rooms
Additional photos capture bathrooms and a wet room on the property, giving a clearer picture of the scale and layout of the living quarters on the island.
A Living Space
One image shows a furnished living area inside Epstein’s island house showing that beyond its notorious reputation, the property functioned as a full residence.
The Dentist’s Chair Room
One of the most unsettling images in the collection shows a room containing a dentist’s chair, with what appear to be men’s faces or masks displayed on the wall. This image has attracted enormous public attention the presence of a dentist-style examination chair in a private island residence raises obvious questions that, as of the time of publication, have not been officially explained by investigators.
The Chalkboard
Another deeply scrutinized image shows a blackboard with handwritten words on it. The visible terms include “power,” “deception,” and “political,” along with other words described as partially indecipherable in early media reports. The chalkboard’s contents have been widely discussed online as potentially significant, though no official interpretation has been provided by investigators.
The Speed-Dial Telephone
A photograph of a telephone with speed-dial labels was also released. Several names next to the speed-dial buttons were redacted. However, first names still visible in the image include Darren, Mike, Patrick, Rich, and Larry. As of the time of this writing, it remains unclear who these individuals are, and no official identification has been made.
Exterior Buildings
An exterior photograph shows the outside of structures on the island’s property, consistent with what had previously been visible in aerial and satellite imagery. The island’s distinctive architecture including various outbuildings is visible.
No Trespassing Sign
One image simply shows a “No Trespassing” sign on the property a striking symbol of the secrecy and restricted access that characterized Little Saint James throughout the years Epstein owned it.
Where Is Epstein Island?
For those searching “where is Epstein island” or “where was Epstein’s island located” Little Saint James is a 72-acre private island situated in the US Virgin Islands, approximately 1.5 miles southeast of St. Thomas in the Caribbean Sea. The island is accessible only by boat or helicopter.
Epstein also owned a neighboring island, Great Saint James, which he purchased in 2016. Both islands were part of his Caribbean holdings.
Why Are These Images Being Released Now?
The release of the images is part of a broader, ongoing congressional and federal effort to build a public record of Epstein’s activities and bring full transparency to a case where many believe powerful individuals have not yet been held accountable.
The House Oversight Committee also confirmed in December 2025 that it had received financial records from J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank connected to Epstein, with plans to release those records publicly in the days following the photo release.
The move reflects mounting pressure on the US government to make the complete “Epstein files” available to the public. Rep. Garcia made this explicit: “It’s time for President Trump to release all the files, now.”
Background: What Happened on Epstein Island?
The images released by the House Oversight Committee are not the first evidence of wrongdoing on Little Saint James they are the latest chapter in a long investigative record.
According to a civil lawsuit filed by the US Virgin Islands government in 2020, Epstein began coercing underage girls and young women into sexual activity on the island as early as 2001 and continued until 2019, the year he was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges. The suit alleged victims as young as 12 years old were trafficked to the island.
That lawsuit was settled in 2022 for more than $150 million, paid by Epstein’s estate and co-defendants to the Virgin Islands government. The settlement covered sex trafficking, child exploitation, and fraud claims.
One victim statement included in DOJ files describes a girl who was “in severe distress and afraid” and attempted to escape the island by swimming. A separate lawsuit alleged another victim attempted to flee in the same way.
What Is on Epstein Island Now?
Since Epstein’s death in August 2019, Little Saint James has largely been unoccupied. The island was sold in 2022 to Stephen Deckoff, a hedge fund manager, for approximately $60 million the proceeds going toward the victim compensation fund established as part of the legal settlement of Epstein’s estate.
As of 2025-2026, the island is privately owned, not open to the public, and not operating as a resort or tourist destination. Reports from those who have passed by describe the property as overgrown, with structures still standing. The island is not listed for sale.
The Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Connection
The ongoing investigation into Epstein’s island and associates took a dramatic turn in February 2026, when British former royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor previously known as Prince Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was later released under investigation.
The arrest centered on allegations that emails released in the latest tranche of US DOJ Epstein files showed Andrew sharing confidential British government documents and investment briefings with Epstein during the period he served as the UK’s trade ambassador. UK authorities were also separately reviewing allegations that a woman was trafficked to the UK by Epstein to have a sexual encounter with Andrew, though those claims are distinct from the misconduct investigation.
Andrew has denied all allegations against him and has not commented on the most recent claims.
Who Owns Little Saint James Island Now?
The island is currently owned by Stephen Deckoff following its 2022 sale from Epstein’s estate. The purchase was part of the civil settlement between Epstein’s estate and the US Virgin Islands government, which resulted in more than $150 million going toward victims.
The island is not for sale as of 2026, and there are no confirmed plans for public development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Epstein island located?
Little Saint James Island is in the US Virgin Islands, approximately 1.5 miles off the coast of St. Thomas in the Caribbean Sea.
What did the never-before-seen Epstein island images show?
The December 2025 release from the House Oversight Committee included photos of bedrooms, bathrooms, a living space, a room with a dentist’s chair, a chalkboard with words like “power,” “deception,” and “political,” and a speed-dial telephone with several redacted names.
What is the dentist chair on Epstein island?
A photograph released by the House Oversight Committee shows a room on Little Saint James containing a dentist-style chair with masks or faces on the wall. No official explanation for the room’s purpose has been released.
Who took the photos of Epstein island?
The 10 photographs were taken in 2020 by US Virgin Island authorities as part of their criminal investigation, and released publicly in December 2025 by the House Oversight Committee.
Who owns Epstein island now?
The island was sold in 2022 to Stephen Deckoff for approximately $60 million. It is not open to the public.
What happened to Epstein’s island?
After Epstein’s death in 2019, the island was investigated, included in a civil lawsuit by the US Virgin Islands government, and ultimately sold in 2022 as part of a $150 million+ legal settlement.
Can you visit Epstein island?
No. The island is privately owned and not accessible to the public.
Conclusion
The release of never-before-seen images from inside Little Saint James Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands marks a major step toward public transparency in a case that has gripped the world for years. The photographs of the dentist’s chair room, the mysterious chalkboard, and the redacted telephone speed-dial list add new details to an already disturbing picture, and they come as congressional and DOJ investigations continue to unfold.
As more Epstein files are released and the investigation into his associates deepens including the February 2026 arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor the full story of what happened on Little Saint James continues to emerge.
