It sits just two miles off the coast of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands — a 72-acre piece of Caribbean land surrounded by turquoise water and palm trees. From the air, it looks like paradise. But Little St. James Island, known worldwide as “Epstein Island,” carries one of the darkest reputations of any piece of private property in American history. It was the primary residence and alleged abuse site of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for over two decades — and since his death in 2019, the world has been asking one simple question: who owns it now?
Here is the complete, verified answer — from the very first purchase to right now in 2026.
What Is Epstein Island?
Little Saint James is a small private island in the United States Virgin Islands, southeast of Saint Thomas. It was owned by American financier and convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein from 1998 until his death in 2019.
Little St. James is a private island with an area of 70 to 78 acres. It is part of the United States Virgin Islands, southeast of neighboring Great Saint James, both off the southern coast of the larger St. Thomas island.
Little St. James includes private beaches and a number of buildings. Little St. James spans around 71.6 acres and includes a helipad, private dock, gas station, high-capacity water filtration, 2 pools, the main compound, 4 guest villas, and 3 private beaches.
The island has been called “Isle of Babes,” “Island of Sin,” and most notoriously, “Pedophile Island” — nicknames that reflect the serious criminal allegations made against Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiring to sexually abuse minors.
Who Owns Epstein Island Right Now in 2026?
The direct answer is this: In 2023, billionaire asset manager Stephen Deckoff bought the pair of islands for $60 million, promising to create a luxury resort. As of 2026, no construction on either island had been reported.
Billionaire Stephen Deckoff, founder of Black Diamond Capital Management, purchased Great St. James and Little St. James in May 2023 and said at the time he planned to build a resort there by 2025. Those plans have been delayed, as little progress has been made on permitting, according to local media reports.
Deckoff launched a private-equity and credit-focused asset management firm in 1995. Forbes estimates he is worth $2.8 billion as of February 2026. He purchased the island from Epstein’s estate, and there have been no reports of Deckoff having a personal relationship with Epstein.
Ownership Timeline: From Epstein to Deckoff
1997 — Before Epstein In 1997, Little St. James was owned by venture capitalist Arch Cummin and was for sale for $10.5 million.
1998 — Epstein Buys the Island In April 1998, a company called L.S.J. LLC purchased it for $7.95 million. Documents show that Jeffrey Epstein was the sole member of L.S.J. Little St. James was Epstein’s primary residence, and he called the island “Little St. Jeff.”
2016 — Epstein Buys the Neighbor Epstein bought Little St. James in 1998, roughly 18 years before purchasing its larger neighbor Great St. James, which measures around 161 acres.
2019 — Epstein Dies Epstein was arrested and charged with trafficking women and girls, including victims who say they were brought to Little St. James island by Epstein and sexually abused. He died in jail in New York in August 2019. By the time of his death, Little St. James was valued at almost $70 million.
2022 — Islands Listed for Sale The executors of his estate, Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn, listed the islands for sale in 2022. The pair of islands initially went on the market in March 2022, with a $125 million asking price. The listing figure was later reduced after no buyers materialized.
2023 — Stephen Deckoff Purchases Both Islands Financier Stephen Deckoff paid $60 million for Great St. James and Little St. James through his SD Investments firm. Deckoff confirmed the purchase to CNBC. Forbes first reported the acquisition, noting the purchase price was less than half of their initial asking price.
2026 — No Resort, No Construction The resort has not materialized. The only construction permit Deckoff has requested is for an 8,800-square-foot warehouse on Little St. James island, according to V.I. government public records.
Ownership and Key Stakeholders Details
| Party | Role | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey Epstein | Owner 1998–2019 | Bought Little St. James for $7.95M in 1998 via L.S.J. LLC; valued at ~$70M at death |
| Epstein Estate (Indyke & Kahn) | Estate Executors 2019–2023 | Listed islands for $125M in 2022; eventually sold for $60M |
| U.S. Virgin Islands Government | Settlement Beneficiary | Received half of island sale proceeds under $105M Epstein estate settlement |
| Stephen Deckoff | Current Owner (since May 2023) | Billionaire founder of Black Diamond Capital; paid $60M; net worth ~$2.8B |
| SD Investments | Deckoff’s Purchase Vehicle | Legal entity through which Deckoff acquired both islands |
| Great St. James Island | Sister Island | Also owned by Deckoff; 161 acres; purchased by Epstein in 2016 |
Who Is Stephen Deckoff?
Stephen Deckoff is the billionaire founder of Black Diamond Capital Management, a private equity and credit-focused asset management firm he launched in 1995. He is a resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands, which is one reason he cited a deep connection to the region when announcing the purchase.
Deckoff said at the time of his purchase: “There is simply no place in the world as special as the U.S. Virgin Islands and I am humbled by the opportunity to share its splendor with visitors in a manner that will provide economic benefits to the region while respecting its culture, history and natural beauty.”
He announced plans for a “state-of-the-art, five-star, world-class luxury 25-room resort” on the islands. That resort was originally scheduled to open in 2025. As of March 2026, it has not been built, and no significant construction permits have been filed beyond a request for a warehouse.
The $105 Million Virgin Islands Settlement
One of the most significant ownership-related legal developments was the civil settlement between Epstein’s estate and the U.S. Virgin Islands government.
Under a $105 million settlement, the U.S. Virgin Islands government was due to receive half of the proceeds from the sale of Little St. James — and use the money to establish a trust to fund support services and counseling for victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking.
This settlement meant that when Deckoff paid $60 million for both islands, a significant portion of that money — roughly $30 million — flowed to the Virgin Islands government as part of the agreed settlement, earmarked specifically for victim support services.
What Happened to the Island Under Epstein?
Little St. James was Epstein’s primary residence. In 2008, Epstein’s estate on Little St. James had 70 staff. According to a former staffer, Epstein insisted on discretion and confidentiality from his employees.
Notable visitors to Little St. James included Victoria’s Secret models, billionaire Les Wexner, and various public figures. In December 2012, Howard Lutnick, his wife and their children visited the island, where they had lunch with Epstein.
Federal prosecutors identified Little St. James as a central location in Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation. In a 2020 lawsuit, the U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General said Epstein would use helicopters “to transport young women and underage girls between St. Thomas and Little St. James.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who owns Epstein Island in 2026?
Stephen Deckoff, founder of Black Diamond Capital Management, owns both Little St. James and Great St. James islands after buying them for $60 million in May 2023.
Q2. How much did Stephen Deckoff pay for Epstein’s islands?
Deckoff paid $60 million for both islands — far below their original asking price of $125 million.
Q3. How much did Epstein originally pay for Little St. James?
Jeffrey Epstein purchased Little St. James in 1998 through a company called L.S.J. LLC for $7.95 million.
Q4. Is there a resort on Epstein Island now?
No. Deckoff promised a luxury 25-room resort by 2025, but as of 2026, no significant construction has occurred and only a warehouse permit has been requested.
Q5. How much money did the U.S. Virgin Islands receive from the island sale?
Under a $105 million settlement with Epstein’s estate, the Virgin Islands government received approximately half the island sale proceeds — around $30 million — for a victim support fund.
Q6. Where exactly is Epstein Island located?
Little St. James is located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, approximately two miles southeast of St. Thomas, and covers approximately 72 acres.
Q7. Did Epstein own more than one island?
Yes. Epstein owned Little St. James (purchased 1998) and the larger Great St. James (purchased 2016). Both are now owned by Stephen Deckoff.
Q8. How was Epstein’s island valued at his death?
At the time of Epstein’s death in 2019, Little St. James was valued at approximately $63–70 million — nearly nine times what he paid for it in 1998.
Epstein Island — officially named Little St. James — is currently owned by billionaire Stephen Deckoff, founder of Black Diamond Capital Management. He purchased both Little St. James and the neighboring Great St. James Island in May 2023 for $60 million — far below their original $125 million asking price. Deckoff promised a five-star luxury resort by 2025, but as of 2026, no construction has taken place and only a warehouse permit has been filed.
Before Deckoff, the islands were owned by Jeffrey Epstein from 1998 until his death in August 2019 in a New York federal jail. Epstein purchased Little St. James for just $7.95 million and it grew in value to approximately $70 million before being sold. The U.S. Virgin Islands government received roughly $30 million from the sale as part of a $105 million settlement — money designated for victims of Epstein’s sex-trafficking crimes.
Discover more from Who Is The Owner Of
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.