Rachel Benavidez, 52, expressed in a recent interview that justice will not be served until survivors are heard and believed. This statement comes after the release of millions of documents by the Justice Department in January, shedding light on Jeffrey Epstein’s activities at his ranch and the missed chances for investigations.
The released documents included an unsubstantiated claim of two “foreign girls” dying during sex and being buried secretly on the property. This led to new investigations in New Mexico, including a criminal case led by the New Mexico Department of Justice and a “truth commission” led by the state Legislature.
Benavidez emphasized her willingness to share her experiences with investigators, even though Epstein has passed away and Ghislaine Maxwell is incarcerated. She stressed the importance of holding more people accountable for their involvement in enabling Epstein’s crimes.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez expressed his commitment to completing an investigation that should have been carried out years ago. He assured survivors a safe space to come forward and share their stories.
The Epstein saga in New Mexico has been a longstanding issue, with abuse allegations dating back to the early 2000s. Epstein purchased the ranch in 1993 and made frequent visits, often with young girls or women. Despite pleading guilty to charges in Florida in 2008, Epstein’s New Mexico ties were not thoroughly investigated.
Former New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas criticized the lack of communication between New York prosecutors and those in New Mexico regarding evidence against Epstein. He referred to the missed opportunities in the Epstein case as a blemish on the justice system.
Looking ahead, Torrez has requested unredacted copies of documents related to Zorro Ranch in the Epstein files from the Justice Department. The department expressed its support for the new investigation and willingness to assist.
Benavidez, a New Mexico native, shared her harrowing experiences at the ranch, where she was a young massage therapist hired to work on Maxwell and Epstein. Initially seen as lucrative opportunities, the encounters turned into instances of sexual abuse, including rape. Benavidez described feeling isolated and intimidated by the environment at the ranch.
Her journey to speak out about the abuse began in 2019, following Epstein’s arrest and the emergence of more survivors sharing their stories publicly. Benavidez found solace and support among fellow survivors, whom she refers to as “survivor sisters.”
Benavidez’s bravery in coming forward underscores the importance of listening to survivors and seeking justice for those who have been victims of abuse.
