The release of the final tranche of the Epstein Files on Friday, January 30, 2026, has brought a new name into the spotlight: Cecilia Steen. While Steen has not been charged with any crime, her extensive correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, archived on the browser-based tool Jmail, provides a rare window into the personal life of the convicted sex offender.
The files were made public following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA), signed into law by President Trump in late 2025.
1. The Emails: “I Always Carry You in My Heart”
The most striking aspect of the disclosure is the affectionate tone Steen used in her messages to Epstein, dating as far back as 2003.
- The Bond: In one email, Steen wrote, “I think about you all the time, every day… You’ve given me a very good and happy life!” She concluded with, “I always carry you in my heart wherever I go.”
- The “Elskling” Mystery: Steen famously asked Epstein, “Who is turtle and what the f**k is elskling?” to which Epstein replied that she was “too young to know.” (Note: Elskling is a Norwegian term of endearment meaning ‘beloved’).
- Corporate Guidance: Emails suggest Steen sought Epstein’s “approval” for job offers, including a headhunted position at Island Global Yachting in Dubai in 2007.
2. The Dubai Connection
The records indicate that Steen spent significant time in Dubai during the late 2000s, often complaining to Epstein about the difficulty of maintaining consistent employment there.
- Residency: In April 2008, she updated Epstein on obtaining her residency visa, mentioning the mandatory HIV tests and X-rays required by UAE authorities.
- The “Shady” Boss: Steen described a boss in Dubai who had been imprisoned for economic crimes in Finland, remarking to Epstein that “everyone in Dubai has a shady past.”
3. Mentions in Other Records
Cecilia Steen’s name is not found in the famous “Black Book” or on flight logs, but it appears elsewhere in the legal paper trail:
- FedEx Records: In the Epstein Library (the DOJ’s digital archive), Steen appears as a sender for multiple FedEx packages sent from Epstein’s 457 Madison Ave address in New York.
- Maxwell Trial: Her name was briefly mentioned during the Ghislaine Maxwell trial in relation to shipping logs and administrative tasks.
- Civil Discovery: Steen was named in a broad demand for documents during litigation against the Epstein estate, categorized among “house staff, employees, or individuals compensated by Epstein.”
4. Fact-Checking Viral Claims
As the files went viral on Friday, February 6, 2026, several unverified claims began circulating on social media:
| Claim | Status | Evidence |
| Steen is a “Spy” | Unverified | Social media users pointed to her UAE residence, but no official record supports this. |
| Modified Viruses | Likely False | Claims that she discussed “animal-to-human viruses” in 2006 lack context in the released documents. |
| JP Morgan Employee | Unverified | Users claim she currently works for the bank; no official confirmation has been provided. |