The disappearance of Elisabetta Tai Ferretto, a 50-year-old former model and early accuser of Jeffrey Epstein, has triggered an urgent international investigation. Ferretto, who has resided in New York since 2001, was last heard from on April 22 following a trip to her native Italy.
Her family in the Veneto region reported her missing after her daily communication abruptly ceased. They noted that her social media accounts have been deactivated, which they describe as entirely out of character for the former fashion professional.
Italian prosecutors in Rovigo have opened an official case, coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage American authorities. While diplomatic channels are active, New York officials have yet to provide a confirmed sighting or explanation for her sudden absence.
Ferretto first gained public attention in 2019 when she detailed an alleged encounter with the late financier. She claimed that in 2004, an agent introduced her to Epstein under the guise of professional career advancement in the modeling industry.
According to her previous statements, she was directed to Epstein’s Upper East Side mansion for what she believed was a legitimate audition. Upon arrival, she alleged that Ghislaine Maxwell facilitated the meeting, leading to a situation where she felt forced to flee the property.
Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Ferretto’s testimony was a significant part of the broader narrative surrounding his predatory network.
The circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain shrouded in mystery as investigators work to retrace her final known movements in Manhattan. Her family continues to express deep concern, emphasizing that she maintained consistent contact with them until the day she vanished.
Law enforcement agencies are currently treating the case with high priority due to her history as a witness in a high-profile criminal investigation. No official leads have been released to the public at this time as the search continues across the city.