Mystery as Italian model who was among first to accuse Jeffrey Epstein of sexual misconduct disappears in New York
The former Italian model, who was one of the first women to accuse Jeffrey Epstein of sexual harassment, mysteriously disappeared in New York.
Elisabetta Tai Ferretto, 50, originally from Montagnana in northern Italy, has not been heard from since April 22 after returning to the United States.
Ferretto, who has lived in New York since 2001, returned to the Veneto region in early April to visit his parents and brother.
However, after returning to Manhattan, his daily contact with his family suddenly ceased.
Lovers of the former model said their phone calls went unanswered and their social media profiles were deactivated or deleted.
His family reported him missing to prosecutors in Rovigo, who filed a lawsuit abroad because he was an Italian citizen.
The case was also forwarded to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which activated diplomatic channels with US officials.
It was learned that American officials were investigating the incident, but Ferretto has not been found safe yet.
Elisabetta Tai Ferretto, 50, originally from Montagnana in northern Italy, has not been heard from since April 22 after returning to the United States.
Ferretto said she met Epstein through her agent in the fashion world after being told he could help her work with big brands.
Ferretto’s family said he remained in regular contact with them until the day he disappeared.
After moving to the United States, the former model worked in fashion and later moved into New York real estate.
Her name became public in 2019 when she talked about an alleged encounter with Epstein that she said took place in 2004.
Ferretto said she met Epstein through her agent in the fashion world after being told he could help her work with big brands.
Her manager suggested she meet a man who would ‘change her life’ and helped her start modeling for the famous Victoria’s Secret brand.
This man was none other than Epstein, a trusted friend and financial advisor to Victoria’s Secret owner Leslie Wexner.
He said he went to what he believed to be a professional meeting or audition at Epstein’s home on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
But Ferretto later told investigators and media outlets that he was greeted at his New York mansion by Epstein’s accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell and taken to her office.
There, she claimed, the disgraced financier did not look at her portfolio or CV, but instead stripped and lay down on the massage table.
He said she rejected him and fled the property.
Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in a New York prison in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Ferretto’s family said he remained in regular contact with them until the day he disappeared.
They said the silence was completely out of character.
No confirmed sightings or official explanation for his disappearance have yet been made public.
