A photographer has broken a decade of silence, publishing a cache of unseen images of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which he claims were hidden after threats from the financier's bodyguard.
The Lost Hard Drive and Revealed Images
Christopher Anderson shared the rare photographs on social media this week. They were originally taken in 2015 for a New York magazine profile by journalist Michael Wolff, which was never published after Epstein withdrew from the interview. Anderson stated he recently discovered the images on an old backup hard drive that Epstein had allegedly tried to ensure was destroyed.
The collection includes intimate shots of Epstein in two of his luxurious homes, capturing his opulent lifestyle. Framed photos on his desk displayed connections to powerful figures like former President Bill Clinton, billionaire Richard Branson, and director Woody Allen.
A Shocking Royal Financial Demand
Among the most revealing finds were images of a letter addressed to Prince Andrew's then-private secretary, Amanda Thirsk. The correspondence, dated 2015, demanded a payment of $59,933 from the Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York.
The letter stated the funds were required so Epstein could afford an MBA course at Columbia University. It further claimed that more than $72,000 was originally "owed by the Duchess" before the trio agreed to lower the sum.
Allegations of Intimidation and a Silenced Story
Anderson detailed a disturbing sequence of events following the photoshoot. He explained that Epstein had paid $20,000 for the rights to the photographs, but only after they were published in the magazine's article.
When Epstein pulled out and the story was killed, Anderson alleges the financier demanded the photos immediately. Upon Anderson's refusal, he claims Epstein sent his bodyguard, a "massive guy" named Merwin, to the photographer's studio to intimidate him into compliance. "It worked," Anderson wrote in an Instagram post liked over 130,000 times.
"I cashed the check and Merwin came by again to collect the hard drive and make sure I didn’t have any more copies of the photos," Anderson recalled. The photographer, known for his environmental shots and close-up portraits, was only able to share the images now due to the forgotten backup drive.
Epstein was a registered sex offender at the time of the 2015 shoot, having pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring a minor for prostitution in Florida. He was later arrested in 2019 on federal charges of sex trafficking minors and conspiracy, and died in jail awaiting trial.
