By Sharon Marris, news reporter

US federal agents have been searching Jeffrey Epstein's island home in the US Virgin Islands.

It comes after the death of the 66-year-old, who is thought to have killed himself on Saturday ahead of a trial on charges that he sexually abused underage girls.

Pictures on Monday showed agents – including from the FBI and Customs and Border Protection – at the dock and in the grounds of Little Saint James.

The 100-acre private Caribbean island was bought by Epstein for $7.95m (£6.6m) in 1998 and it was part of the extravagant lifestyle enjoyed by Epstein before his legal troubles.

Despite rumours, not much is known for sure about what went on at the island, although details may soon be revealed by the agencies seen searching it on Monday.

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Epstein's estate also includes a 40-room mansion on New York's Upper East Side with an estimated value of $77m (£63m), a ranch in New Mexico and homes in Paris and Palm Beach, Florida.

Image: Jeffrey Epstein was accused of sex trafficking and faced decades in jail if found guilty

FBI spokesman Guillermo Gonzalez said: "There are FBI agents conducting enforcement operations in the US Virgin Islands." He declined to comment further.

More from Jeffrey Epstein

Financier Epstein had a social circle that included princes and presidents, including Bill Clinton and Donald Trump.

But he admitted prostitution charges relating to an underage girl in 2008.

Little St. James Island, one of the properties of financier Jeffrey Epstein, is seen in an aerial view near Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands July 21, 2019
Image: Epstein bought the small Caribbean island in 1998
Little St. James Island, one of the properties of financier Jeffrey Epstein, is seen in an aerial view near Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands July 21, 2019
Image: Little Saint James is one of Epstein's many luxury properties
Little St. James Island, one of the properties of financier Jeffrey Epstein, is seen in an aerial view near Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands July 21, 2019
Image: Little is known for sure about what happened on the island

He was arrested on 6 July over claims that he was involved in the sex-trafficking of dozens of girls as young as 14 from at least 2002 until 2005.

He had denied the charges and was being held in prison until his trial.

Had he been convicted of the most recent offences, he was facing up to 45 years in jail.

A number of well-known names had been implicated in the case and prosecutors had said Epstein's behaviour was aided by co-conspirators who recruited his victims.

Donald and Melania Trump with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in Florida in 2000
Image: Donald and Melania Trump with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2000

Attorney General William Barr warned that investigations will continue into the actions of "anyone who was compRead More – Source

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