Jeffrey Epstein passed away in 2019, yet his genetic influence might persist. Records released by the Justice Department reveal that Epstein had been storing his sperm for years prior to his death, expressing a wish that it remain with his estate or legal representative in the event of his demise.

Epstein began storing his sperm with California Cryobank before October 2012. In 2016, he renewed the contract. A 2012 email notified him about a renewal payment for storage, and a new agreement was signed on May 9, 2016. The contract specified that his sperm would be controlled by his estate or another legal representative if he died, differing from a typical sperm donation setup.

This information became public when files were released earlier this year. It remains unclear if his sperm is still stored. Since 2021, CooperCompanies has owned California Cryobank and stated they “do not currently store any samples associated with Jeffrey Epstein.” Requests for comments from Epstein’s estate were not answered.

The exact date when Epstein first banked his sperm is not detailed. In 2008, he pleaded guilty in Florida for soliciting a minor for prostitution and was awaited trial for sex-trafficking charges when he died by suicide in 2019.

Kimberly Mutcherson, a Rutgers Law School professor with expertise in reproductive technology and bioethics, mentioned a debate within the fertility industry concerning the ethical implications of a sperm bank accepting donations from a sex offender.