British socialite who arranged ‘girls’ apologised to Epstein over some ‘past their sell-by date’

Newly released documents from the US Department of Justice appear to show that British model and socialite Annabelle Neilson was in contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2010 and 2012, and that the exchanges included discussions about arranging “girls” for him years after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

The emails form part of the latest tranche of material disclosed under the Epstein files, a release running to more than 3.5 million documents, images and videos made public by the United States Department of Justice. Neilson, who died in 2018 at the age of 49, was a prominent figure in British fashion and media circles, known as a muse to Alexander McQueen and later as a cast member on Bravo’s Ladies of London.




One of the earliest emails in the chain is dated 15 September 2010, when Epstein wrote: “I will have Ghislaine Maxwell reach out to Annabelle Neilson.” Two days later, an email signed “Annabelle” — which appears to be from Neilson, was sent to Epstein. It reads: “Hi Jeffrey. So I am putting a little group of girls together. Hopefuly [sic] one of them will have all the right qualities you desire. Wish I was twenty years younger and could speak French!!!”

The same message continues with an apology for some of the women she had in mind: “I have to say that a few of my girls, who would be perfect for the job but are unfortunately past their sell-by date, would of all dropped their husband and almost children for the job when I asked them.” It concludes: “You know I’ve just had a spark of genius while writing this, I think I may have the right girl.” Epstein replied shortly afterwards: “I appreciate the effort – and you.”

Further emails suggest ongoing contact. In a message sent about a month later, again signed off “Annabelle,” the writer asked: “How are you and all the girls?!” before adding: “I hope you got the numbers I left you for the brazilian and the Italian presenter. I'm back in my lovely grey old rainy london, although the cold seems just to be beginning here.” The email closes: “I hope you are still having a wonderful time without me, probably the new arrivals would of distracted you from the huge void that i left. All my love Annabelle x.”

Another email, dated 26 January 2011 and sent to an account named “Annabelle Neilson,” states: “Hey Annabelle, let’s you and I try and find something cute for JE tonight.” Other messages released in the same batch show Neilson and Epstein discussing art, including a sculpture she recommended to him in September 2011, writing: “Take a look at this, it’ a beautiful beast, remind’s me a little of you i= that respect.”

The documents do not specify what the “job” or arrangements discussed in the emails involved, and the correspondence alone does not establish criminal conduct on Neilson’s part. However, the timing of the exchanges, all of which occurred after Epstein’s conviction and release from prison, and the language used in the messages have drawn scrutiny.

Neilson, a fixture of the London party scene in the 1990s and 2000s, died from a heart attack in 2018, a year before Epstein was arrested on federal sex-trafficking charges and later found dead in a New York jail cell in August 2019. The Justice Department has cautioned that the released files contain unverified claims and should be read in context, but has confirmed that the material reflects records gathered during investigations into Epstein and his network.