The $60 Million Sale: Who Finally Owns Jeffrey Epstein's Infamous Island Now?

The question of who owns Jeffrey Epstein’s infamous Caribbean retreat, Little St. James, has finally been answered by a definitive sale, marking the end of the estate's control over the property. As of late 2023, the two islands—Little St. James and Great St. James—were officially purchased by a billionaire financier, Stephen Deckoff. The sale, which was finalized to settle claims against the disgraced financier's estate, paves the way for a controversial new chapter: transforming the site of alleged horrific crimes into a high-end luxury resort, with a target opening date sometime in 2025.

This December 2025 update confirms that the property is no longer in legal limbo. The new owner, Stephen Deckoff, is the founder of the private equity firm Black Diamond Capital Management, and he acquired the islands through his investment vehicle, SD Investments LLC. The transaction was a significant development in the ongoing legal fallout from the Epstein scandal, providing a clear answer to the public's intense curiosity about the fate of the property known chillingly to some locals as "Paedophile Island."

Jeffrey Edward Epstein: A Biographical Profile and Island Timeline

To fully understand the significance of the sale, it is crucial to first establish the background of the man who owned the islands for over two decades.

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• Full Name: Jeffrey Edward Epstein.
• Born: January 20, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
• Died: August 10, 2019, in Manhattan, New York, while awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking minors. His death in a federal jail was ruled a suicide.
• Occupation: American financier and convicted sex offender.
• Known Associates: High-profile individuals across politics, celebrity, and business, as well as his former girlfriend and co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell.
• Island Acquisition: Epstein purchased Little St. James, the 71.6-acre private island, in 1998. He later acquired the nearby 161-acre Great St. James. Both islands are located in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), southeast of St. Thomas.
• Estate Executors: Following his death, his estate was managed by executors Darren K. Indyke and Richard D. Kahn.

The islands, particularly Little St. James, became the central location for many of the alleged crimes, leading to international scrutiny and the eventual sale of the properties to create a victims’ fund.

The Sale of the Islands: Price, Buyer, and Legal Necessity

The sale of Little St. James and Great St. James was a necessary step in settling the massive legal claims against the Estate of Jeffrey Epstein. The properties were initially put on the market with a hefty price tag, reflecting the exclusivity and acreage of the Caribbean land, but the dark history proved to be a significant deterrent for potential buyers.

The Initial Asking Price vs. The Final Sale Price

When the executors first listed the two private islands for sale, the combined asking price was a staggering $125 million. This valuation reflected the extensive compound that Epstein had built on Little St. James, which included a main residence, multiple guest villas, a private dock, two pools, a helipad, and the infamous domed temple-like structure.

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However, the properties remained on the market for an extended period. The reputation of the islands, coupled with the ongoing civil suits and the general complexity of the sale, forced the price to drop significantly. The final sale price to Stephen Deckoff was $60 million—a steep discount of more than 50% from the original asking price. This final figure, while substantial, highlights the profound impact of the property's history on its market value.

The proceeds from the sale were directed toward the Estate's settlement fund, which was established to compensate the numerous victims who came forward with claims against the convicted sex offender.

Stephen Deckoff's Vision: Transforming Infamy into a Luxury Resort

The new owner, Stephen Deckoff, is a well-known billionaire investor and the founder of Black Diamond Capital Management. His acquisition of the two islands—Little St. James and Great St. James—was not for private use, but for a complete overhaul aimed at public tourism.

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Deckoff’s plan, executed through SD Investments LLC, is to demolish the existing structures associated with Jeffrey Epstein and construct a new, world-class, ultra-luxury resort. This ambitious project aims to completely erase the dark history of the site and repurpose the beautiful geography of the U.S. Virgin Islands for a positive economic impact.

A New Identity for Little St. James

The decision to build a luxury resort is a deliberate attempt to change the narrative and the name associated with the land. The islands, currently synonymous with the Epstein scandal, are to be rebranded as a high-end destination for wealthy travelers. Deckoff has stated his commitment to respecting the local community and creating a property that the U.S. Virgin Islands can be proud of.

The development process is intensive, requiring the removal of the main compound, the pool house, the villas, and all other structures that were part of Epstein’s secretive domain. The goal is a complete physical and psychological cleansing of the property. The projected opening date for this new luxury resort is set for sometime in 2025, which would complete the transformation in approximately two years from the time of the sale announcement.

The Broader Impact on the U.S. Virgin Islands

The sale and redevelopment of the islands have a significant impact beyond the real estate transaction itself, affecting the economy and the public perception of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Economic and Social Implications

The new luxury resort promises to create substantial job opportunities for the local residents of St. Thomas and the surrounding USVI. Deckoff’s investment is viewed by many as a major boost to the tourism sector, which is a cornerstone of the Virgin Islands' economy. The development is expected to attract a new wave of high-net-worth tourism, generating revenue that can benefit the wider community.

Furthermore, the legal resolution that led to the sale has provided a measure of justice for the victims. The establishment of the settlement fund, financed by the sale of the assets, including the $60 million from the islands, is a critical step in addressing the years of abuse and trauma inflicted by Epstein. The involvement of the estate's executors, Darren K. Indyke and Richard D. Kahn, in managing the complex financial and legal aftermath has been central to this process.

The Future of the St. James Islands

The transformation from a private island of infamy to a public luxury destination is a powerful symbol of moving forward. While the history of Little St. James will never be forgotten, the physical change represents a clear demarcation between the past and the future. The conversion into a resort is the most definitive way to ensure the site is no longer a secluded sanctuary for dark activities. The world will be watching to see if Stephen Deckoff's vision for a clean, successful, and ethical tourism venture can truly succeed in overcoming the shadow cast by one of the 21st century's most notorious scandals.