No Evidence Jeffrey Epstein Is Alive and Playing Fortnite

Conspiracy theories claim Epstein is hiding in Israel, but they lack credible proof

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Recent conspiracy theories claim that convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein is still alive and playing the video game Fortnite from Israel. However, there is no evidence to support these claims, which appear to be based on doctored screenshots and unverified social media posts. Epstein died in jail in 2019, and the available information suggests he is not still alive.

Why it matters

The Epstein case has sparked numerous conspiracy theories, some of which distract from the very real and damning evidence of his criminal activities. It's important to separate fact from fiction and focus on the well-documented details of Epstein's sex trafficking operation and the systemic failures that allowed it to continue for so long.

The details

The latest conspiracy theory claims that a Fortnite account called 'littlestjeff1' belongs to Epstein and shows he is alive and playing the game in Israel. However, Fortnite has confirmed this is a hoax, with a user simply changing their name to make it appear connected to Epstein. An image circulating online that appears to show Epstein in Tel Aviv has also been identified as AI-generated. While there are many unanswered questions about Epstein's death, there is no credible evidence he is still alive.

  • Epstein was arrested in July 2019 and died in jail in August 2019.
  • The latest Epstein files were released by the U.S. Department of Justice on January 30, 2026.

The players

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex trafficker who died in jail in 2019.

Marjorie Taylor Greene

A former U.S. congresswoman who elevated the Fortnite conspiracy theory on Twitter.

Fortnite

The video game company that confirmed the 'littlestjeff1' account was a hoax created by a user changing their name.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Hey Official Fortnite here – this was a ruse by a Fortnite player. A few days ago, an existing Fortnite account owner changed their username from something totally unrelated to littlestjeff1, following the revelation of littlestjeff1 as a name on YouTube. These Fortnite trackers only display your current name, not any prior changes to it.”

— Fortnite (Twitter)

The takeaway

While the Epstein case continues to generate conspiracy theories, it's important to rely on verified information and credible sources. Unsubstantiated claims, even if they go viral on social media, should be viewed with skepticism and not allowed to distract from the very real and disturbing details of Epstein's criminal activities.