Mysterious 300-year-old ‘loss of life bell’ believed to be hidden someplace on Epstein’s ranch
The mysterious and valuable ‘Death bell’ has not been seen for nearly 100 years after it was stolen from the New Mexico church in which it was housed for two centuries
The bell hasn’t been seen for nearly 100 years(Image: Library of Congress)
An 18th century artefact known as the ‘Death bell’, believed to have been stolen around 100 years ago may be hidden somewhere on the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s former New Mexico ranch, according to an award-winning investigative journalist.
According to journalist Julie K. Brown the bell, which gained its macabre nickname as it was rung during funerals in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was made from precious metals including gold and silver and was stolen from the church in which it was housed during renovations in the 1930s, having been there for hundreds of years.
A man who spoke with the FBI in 2019 admitted seeing a room in Epstein’s Zorro Ranch filled with Spanish colonial artworks and artefacts, including the notorious Death bell.
Timothy Lopez revealed that Epstein’s collection had been the subject of an article featured in a local real estate magazine several years before, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.
Brown, writing on her Substack, revealed that the FBI had investigated the claims back in 2019. “One of the “key findings” listed in the FBI report was that “photos and videos indicated the Zorro Ranch had what appears to be a collection of New Mexico Colonial style artwork and artifacts”, revealed Brown.
Brown, who has twice won the prestigious George Polk journalism award and was named in Times 100 most influential people in 2020, also explained that an aerial photo taken for a wedding taking place on the ranch appeared to show “that the front door had a bell-shaped ornamental feature”.
However, despite their efforts, the probe was concluded and a separate report stated that the FBI didn’t have enough evidence to get a search warrant to find the bell. It also revealed that the real estate magazine referenced by Lopez was not found either.
However, long-existing rumours that bodies belonging to two of Epstein’s victims may be buried on the Zorro ranch has led to searches taking place on the property, with the FBI believed to be searching for the remains of two young women killed in what is believed to have been an act of sexual violence.
The first claim that bodies may be located somewhere on Epstein’s former ranch were made in 2019 via an anonymous tip made to a local radio show host. The whistle-blower who claimed to be a former ranch employee said that he knew two girls were buried “somewhere in the hills outside of Zorro.”
That unverified tip led the state of New Mexico to open up a probe into the property. New Mexico lawmakers also formed a “truth commission” to investigate allegations of criminal activity and public corruption related to the ranch.
While it is not known whether any searches will be undertaken inside the property, which was sold by Epstein’s estate in 2023, many will be hopeful that the bell will resurface during the investigation.
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