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Urban explorer sneaks onto Epstein’s private island for haunting footage

‘Urban explorer’ manages to get on billionaire’s private island

Clara Hill
Wednesday 26 May 2021 14:27 BST
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Urban explorer sneaks onto Epstein's private island for haunting footage

An ‘urban explorer’ has shared footage he says he filmed on Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in the U.S Virgin Islands.

Andy Bracco says he shot the video in August 2020 but has not disclosed exactly how he managed twice to get onto Little St James, which is only accessible by private boats or planes.

He originally posted clips to the video-sharing platform TikTok last year but alleges the footage was removed and that he re-uploaded the video last month.

Attention has focussed on a blue-and-white temple-like building with a gold dome that some conspiracy theorists believe covers and underground tunnel network.

Some of Epstein’s accusers say his crimes against them took place on the island. He was arrested in July 2019 and charged with sex trafficking and conspircy to engage in sex trafficking. The alleged network he ran was the subject of Netflix’s Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich.

He died in August 2019 while in custody in what was ruled a suicide. His ex-girlfriend and alleged ‘madam’ Ghislaine Maxwell is getting ready to stand trial.

Mr Bracco said he peered into the temple and says he noticed a staircase descending downwards.

He told Newsweek: “If I was to have entered the unlocked temple, that I clearly came into close contact with, I would never self incriminate by showing my audience how I got in. Getting in would then subsequently have allowed me to access the tunnels.

“Security most definitely existed on the island during both of my visits. The months of effort that went into planning for just a few hours of exploring are so disproportionate. I took into account so many things, asked as many resources available as I felt we needed to know while still attempting to remain surreptitious.

“On both of my visits we remained completely undetected due to following our careful planning and other covert entry procedures. We stayed away from the main dock, the main house, and the infrared cameras.”

It is believed that the island still has working electricity and manicured grounds, including a well-tended pool.

The Independent reached out to Mr Bracco for comment.

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