Control, threats, disfiguring surgery: My life inside Jeffrey Epstein's 'cult'

A woman identified pseudonymously as "Anya" has provided a harrowing account of her life within Jeffrey Epstein's alleged "cult," detailing an extensive system of coercive control, threats, and even forced disfiguring surgery. Recruited under false pretenses with promises of work, Anya described how Epstein meticulously managed nearly every aspect of his victims' lives, from their finances and relationships to their physical appearance. She stated that Epstein monitored bodies obsessively and subjected her to unnecessary surgical procedures, including a disfiguring operation to remove a small tattoo, which he then ordered to be repeated because he disliked the initial outcome.

Anya's testimony reveals how Epstein maintained his hold through psychological manipulation, exploitation of vulnerabilities, and a constant threat of losing housing and support. She explained that while not physically imprisoned, the women were psychologically chained, dependent on Epstein for basic necessities like healthcare and housing, and kept on call around the clock. This account of systematic abuse and cult-like control has been corroborated by other former assistants, such as Sarah Kellen, who similarly described Epstein's method of presenting himself as a savior while systematically dismantling the women's autonomy.