SANTA FE — The New Mexico Attorney General's Office announced in February 2026 that it was reopening a 2019 investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's former Zorro Ranch outside Santa Fe, a case that had been closed at the request of federal prosecutors in New York. That same month, the New Mexico House of Representatives unanimously created a Truth Commission to examine possible crimes and cover-ups connected to the property.

The state's justice department conducted a search of the Zorro Ranch property using search and rescue dogs. Epstein once owned the ranch, which included a mansion, an airstrip and 10,000 acres of scrubland in the high desert outside Santa Fe.

The Truth Commission will focus on systemic issues that might have attracted Epstein to New Mexico and on whether anyone played a role in covering up activities at the ranch. It is funded by $2 million from settlements the state reached with a bank that did business with Epstein, and it has authority to subpoena witnesses and compel testimony if necessary. The commission has received numerous tips and compiled a list of names of former ranch employees, possible co-conspirators, and residents of Stanley, New Mexico. Its initial report is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026.

Democratic state Representative Andrea Romero, who heads the commission, pointed to past reports of abuse that were not pursued by authorities. "We know that there are survivors that were on the record reporting abuse. Why did their case never make it to the state nor federal government to hold that to account in some way, shape or form." Romero said.

Romero said local residents have direct knowledge of Epstein's presence in the area. "We're a living community of folks that knew people that worked there, that saw this guy parading around town, where he did yoga, where he grocery shopped." she said.

Republican state Representative Andrea Reeb, a member of the commission, described the inquiry's purpose. "I think everybody wants to know what happened, and everybody, of course, has sympathy for the survivors and the victims that aren't around anymore. But everyone just wants to know the truth." Reeb said.

In March 2026, hundreds of protesters caravanned to the Zorro Ranch on International Women's Day. Sky Roberts, the brother of Virginia Giuffre, participated in the rally. Giuffre, one of Epstein's most prominent accusers, said she had been sexually abused at the Zorro Ranch. She died by suicide in 2025.