Vandals targeted Jeffrey Epstein’s former Upper East Side mansion, defacing the exterior with phrases associated with Luigi Mangione, the accused United Healthcare CEO murderer. The words “Deny, defend, depose” were spray-painted in red along with other phrases like “Free Luigi” and “They Fear The People.” Workers quickly removed the graffiti from the gilded façade by the following day.
Following Epstein’s arrest for sex trafficking in 2019 and subsequent suicide in jail, his mansion on East 71st Street remained on the market with an $88 million price tag. In the spring of 2021, former Goldman Sachs executive Michael Daffey purchased the property for $51 million, making it one of the largest homes in Manhattan. The lavish home, where Epstein preyed on underage women and hosted influential individuals, has since become a grim attraction for dark tourism.
The new owners of Epstein’s former mansion have faced vandalism in the past. Prior to the recent incident with Mangione-related graffiti, neighbors had reported instances of animal blood and excrement being smeared across the façade. The property’s notoriety due to Epstein’s crimes has drawn unwanted attention, leading to such acts of vandalism by individuals expressing various sentiments.
The phrases “Deny, defend, depose” etched onto the bullets used by Luigi Mangione to kill the CEO of United Healthcare have now become associated with his name. Vandals targeted Epstein’s former mansion with these words, along with messages supporting Mangione and expressing fear from the public. The vandalism, which occurred on a prominent location like the front door, was swiftly removed by cleanup crews to restore the property’s appearance.
The defacement of Epstein’s former mansion by vandals marks another chapter in the controversial history of the property. After Epstein’s crimes came to light, the house became a symbol of his misconduct, attracting negative attention and becoming a site of morbid curiosity for visitors. Despite changing ownership, the mansion continues to be a reminder of its dark past and the events that transpired within its walls.
The incident involving the graffiti at Epstein’s former mansion reflects the ongoing impact of the notorious figure’s legacy and the emotions it evokes in the public. The messages left by the vandals, referencing Mangione and expressing defiance and fear, serve as a reminder of the complex reactions towards individuals associated with high-profile crimes. As the property remains a subject of interest and controversy, further incidents like this may continue to occur, highlighting the lasting effects of Epstein’s actions on those connected to him.
