New Mexico’s Department of Justice has opened an investigation into allegations that two foreign girls were buried near Jeffrey Epstein’s former ranch in the state, following the recent release of federal documents referencing the claim.

A spokesperson for the state agency said officials have requested an unredacted version of a 2019 email referenced in materials disclosed by the U.S. Department of Justice. The email allegedly contained information suggesting that two girls were buried in the hills outside Epstein’s Zorro Ranch property in Santa Fe County.

“We are actively investigating this allegation and are conducting a broader review in light of the latest release from the U.S. Department of Justice,” spokesperson Lauren Rodriguez said in a written statement.

The email, sent months after Epstein’s death in 2019, was reportedly addressed to Eddy Aragon, a New Mexico radio host who had discussed the ranch on his program. The sender claimed to be a former employee of the property and requested payment of one bitcoin in exchange for videos allegedly taken from Epstein’s home. According to the redacted document, the message also referenced the location of two foreign girls who were allegedly buried near the ranch.

Aragon has said he forwarded the email to the FBI shortly after receiving it and did not provide payment or have further contact with the sender. He indicated that a recent attempt to respond to the email was unsuccessful because the address was no longer active.

A 2021 FBI report included in the same federal document release notes that Aragon visited an FBI office to report the message, which purportedly offered seven videos depicting sexual abuse and information about the alleged burial site in exchange for cryptocurrency.

A review of other publicly released documents did not reveal additional references confirming the burial allegations or detailing investigative findings related to the claims. The Justice Department has previously cautioned that some materials in the Epstein file releases include unverified or uncorroborated accusations.

The renewed scrutiny comes as New Mexico lawmakers have initiated a comprehensive inquiry into allegations that Epstein abused girls and women at the Zorro Ranch property over a span of more than two decades. State officials have also called for a thorough examination of any potential criminal activity linked to the ranch and surrounding public lands.

State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard said her office identified the redacted email during a review of the newly disclosed documents. In a recent letter to federal authorities, she urged both state and federal officials to fully investigate any credible allegations connected to the property.

Epstein leased more than 1,200 acres of adjacent state trust land beginning in the early 1990s. Those leases were terminated in September 2019 after state officials determined the land was not being used for agricultural purposes as required.

Epstein died in a New York jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.

State authorities have not indicated whether any physical search operations have begun in response to the burial allegations, but officials say the investigation remains ongoing