New Mexico state authorities are reopening their 2019 investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's ranch property, according to recent reports. The development comes after revelations that federal authorities apparently never searched the sprawling New Mexico property known as Zorro Ranch.

Epstein was arrested on July 6, 2019, on federal sex trafficking charges. Prosecutors alleged the financier "exploited and abused dozens of underage girls" in Manhattan and Palm Beach "among other locations." Epstein died by suicide in jail on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial.

The New Mexico ranch emerged as a location of alleged criminal activity through subsequent criminal and civil proceedings. Court documents and witness accounts indicated that numerous alleged abuses occurred at the property.

A Guardian investigation published on February 8 revealed that federal authorities apparently never conducted a search of Zorro Ranch, despite it being identified as one of the locations where alleged crimes took place. This contrasted with the extensive searches conducted at Epstein's other properties.

Meanwhile, brothers of Virginia Giuffre, who has accused Epstein of abuse, have visited the New Mexico ranch and are demanding access to unredacted documents related to the case. Giuffre has been one of the most prominent accusers in the Epstein case.

The renewed state investigation represents a potential avenue for examining evidence at the property that may not have been previously collected by federal authorities.