DOJ
(Little Saint James Island) – A newly surfaced photo from the latest batch of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice has reignited controversy surrounding the late financier Jeffrey Epstein — and this time, it involves world-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking.
The image, now circulating online, shows Hawking smiling broadly while seated outdoors between two women in bikinis, holding what appear to be tropical cocktails. The sunny backdrop and relaxed setting have fueled speculation that the photo was taken on Little Saint James, Epstein’s private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Context Behind the Image
According to records previously made public, Hawking visited the Caribbean in March 2006 to attend a scientific conference titled “The Energy of Empty Space That Isn’t Zero.” The event was funded by Epstein and hosted at the Ritz-Carlton on St. Thomas. As part of the trip, Hawking reportedly received a customized submarine tour of the seabed — an excursion arranged to accommodate his physical condition.
While the newly highlighted photo appears to date back to that visit, there is no evidence that Hawking engaged in any criminal activity.
Hawking’s Name in the Files
Court filings indicate Hawking is mentioned more than 250 times throughout various Epstein-related documents. However, repeated mention in legal documents does not equate to wrongdoing.
A 2015 allegation from Virginia Giuffre claimed that Hawking participated in an underage orgy on Epstein’s island — a claim that was strongly denied at the time. According to previously released communications, Epstein rejected the accusation and reportedly urged Ghislaine Maxwell to challenge it. The allegation was never substantiated.
Hawking, who died in 2018, was never charged with any crime related to Epstein.
Renewed Public Scrutiny
The resurfacing of the image has prompted a wave of online reactions, with many questioning the nature of Epstein’s relationships with high-profile figures across academia, politics, and entertainment.
As more documents are reviewed and released, scrutiny continues over who was connected to Epstein — and under what circumstances.
