Newly unsealed court documents have shed light on the tragic death of top model Ruslana Korshunova and her connection to the notorious Jeffrey Epstein. The documents reveal that Korshunova, who was just 18 at the time, was among the teen girls flown to Epstein’s private island, known as Little St. James, on June 7, 2006. This trip occurred two years before the young model’s untimely demise.
Korshunova, who had graced the pages of prestigious fashion campaigns for renowned brands like Marc Jacobs, DKNY, Vera Wang, and Nina Ricci perfume, was at the peak of her career when she embarked on the fateful journey. Epstein, along with his staff members, including bodyguard Igor Zinoviev, personal chef Lance Calloway, and longtime assistant Sarah Kellen, accompanied her on the flight. An unidentified former UFC fighter and a woman named Stephanie Tidwell were also listed as passengers.
The exact events that unfolded on Epstein’s island remain unclear, but it is well-documented that he exploited underage girls there, often with the involvement of influential individuals. Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, was later contacted by her attorney, who inquired if she knew Korshunova. However, Giuffre denied any knowledge of the model, expressing her condolences to her family and friends.
Tragically, just weeks after her visit to Epstein’s island, Korshunova met a devastating end. At the age of 20, she jumped to her death from her ninth-floor balcony in her Wall Street apartment building. Witnesses described hearing a loud noise, akin to a gunshot or explosion, before rushing to the scene. Korshunova suffered severe injuries upon impact, and her death sent shockwaves through the fashion industry.
In the aftermath of her death, it was revealed that Korshunova had left behind lengthy messages expressing her homesickness, struggles in her love life, and difficulties balancing her personal and professional life. Her ex-boyfriend, Artem Perchenok, spoke of her tendency to keep her problems bottled up, often taking them out on herself. He believed that she had reached a breaking point, feeling lost and unsure of her future.
Korshunova’s rise to fame was nothing short of a fairytale. Discovered in her hometown of Almaty, Kazakhstan, by a booker from London-based Models 1, she quickly became a sought-after model, walking the runways for renowned designers like Jill Stuart and Betsey Johnson. She was signed to the elite modeling agency IMG, alongside superstars like Heidi Klum and Kate Moss.
While the exact circumstances of Korshunova’s introduction to Epstein remain unknown, it is evident that her trip to his island coincided with a challenging period in her life. Author and academic Peter Pomerantsev noted in his book that the model had joined a controversial “self-help group,” often referred to as a cult, following a decline in her modeling career. Additionally, she had experienced heartbreak after being dumped by an oligarch referred to as “Alexander” in the book.
The tragic story of Ruslana Korshunova continues to captivate and raise questions. Her connection to Epstein’s island adds another layer of intrigue to her untimely demise. As the investigation into Epstein’s associates unfolds, the truth behind Korshunova’s visit to Little St. James may eventually come to light, shedding further light on the dark secrets surrounding the disgraced financier.
