Victim Profile — Carolyn Andriano

Research Corpus Note: This document draws on the DOJ Epstein Files corpus (the "EFTA" corpus). The DOJ Epstein Files release spans approximately 3.5 million pages across ~900,229 unique documents. Of these, text was successfully extracted from 900,196 documents (covering virtually the full corpus) through OCR and PDF text-extraction processing. All EFTA citations refer to documents in this extracted corpus unless otherwise noted. Additional post-corpus developments (post-February 2026) are noted where relevant and assessed separately.

Evidence Tier: A — Named Maxwell trial witness; primary testimony documented in the Maxwell criminal trial record, the government's sentencing memorandum (EFTA02838374), and the prosecution's closing argument transcript (EFTA02827153). Multiple independent primary sources — including Carolyn's 2009 civil deposition (quoted at trial), documentary exhibits admitted at trial, and corroborating witness testimony — independently confirm the substance and timeline of her account.

Current Status: Carolyn Andriano died on May 23, 2023, of an accidental drug overdose in a West Palm Beach hotel room. She was thirty-six years old. Her death was confirmed by West Palm Beach law enforcement and reported by the Miami Herald, the Daily Beast, and USA Today. Her mother publicly disputed the ruling and asked authorities not to close the investigation. She was survived by a husband and five children. She died approximately one year after Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced, in June 2022, to twenty years in federal prison — a sentence to which Carolyn's testimony materially contributed.

Who They Are

Carolyn Andriano grew up in the West Palm Beach area of Florida in a household shaped by economic hardship. She lived with her mother, a single parent who struggled with alcohol addiction. She had previously been sexually abused by a family member before she ever encountered Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell — a history she later disclosed to Maxwell directly. She was, in the words of the prosecution at the Maxwell trial, a child who "needed something," selected precisely because of her vulnerability.

She testified at the Maxwell criminal trial in New York in November and December 2021, using the name "Carolyn." She was one of four named accusers — alongside Jane, Kate, and Annie Farmer — whose accounts formed the core of the government's case. She was the only one of the four whose testimony was paired with a dedicated count in the superseding indictment (Count Six). The jury convicted Maxwell on Count Six.

At least one juror stated publicly that Carolyn's testimony was the most pivotal of the trial. In an ITV documentary, juror David said: "Carolyn, her testimony was the most gripping and I felt the most compassion for her because she had literally had one of the hardest life stories."

She described, in her own words at sentencing: "my soul is broken and so is my heart." (Trial Tr. 1678.)

She died on May 23, 2023. She was thirty-six years old.

How They Entered the Network

In 2001, when Carolyn was fourteen years old, Virginia Giuffre — herself a trafficking victim who had been coerced into the role of recruiter — brought Carolyn to Epstein's Palm Beach villa. The meeting with Maxwell was immediate and deliberate.

The Maxwell sentencing memorandum (EFTA02838374) sets out what happened:

"On Carolyn's first visit to the house, the defendant greeted Virginia, who introduced Carolyn to the defendant. The defendant then told Virginia, 'You can bring her upstairs and show her what to do,' after which Virginia showed Carolyn how to perform a sexual massage on Epstein." (PSR ¶¶ 62–63.)

Maxwell's greeting was not passive or incidental. She received the two girls, directed the introduction, and gave Giuffre explicit instructions on how to initiate Carolyn into the arrangement. The prosecution characterized it in closing argument: "You know exactly what Maxwell meant — sexual contact was about to happen in the massage room, and that's exactly what happened next." (EFTA02827153.) Virginia and Carolyn then undressed and massaged Epstein together; Virginia and Epstein had sex in front of Carolyn in the massage room.

This first visit, in the words of the prosecution's closing argument, "was the beginning of years of sexual abuse." (EFTA02827153.)

Carolyn came from a family with limited economic resources, a background the Maxwell sentencing memorandum identifies as characteristic of Epstein's recruitment pattern. She was paid several hundred dollars in one-hundred-dollar bills after each session — usually laid out on a table or by the sink, though Maxwell personally paid Carolyn on at least a few occasions. (EFTA02838374, PSR ¶ 65.) The money was significant for a girl whose mother struggled with addiction and whose household had no financial cushion.

Victimization — Documented Account

Carolyn was sexually abused at Epstein's Palm Beach villa across more than 100 paid sessions, beginning at age fourteen and continuing until she was eighteen years old. The abuse during each session followed a consistent pattern documented in detail in the Maxwell sentencing memorandum (EFTA02838374):

• At some point during each massage, Epstein rolled over and masturbated himself.
• Epstein directed Carolyn to touch his nipples.
• Epstein touched Carolyn's breasts and buttocks.
• On one occasion, Epstein attempted to touch Carolyn's vagina with a vibrator; Carolyn pulled away and he stopped.
• On two occasions, Epstein brought other females into the room who engaged Carolyn in oral sex.
• On one occasion, Epstein raped Carolyn by penetrating her vagina with his penis.
• Every massage ended with Epstein ejaculating. (PSR ¶ 64.)

Maxwell's involvement was not limited to the initial introduction. She personally scheduled Carolyn's massage appointments for approximately the first year or two — the period when Carolyn was between fourteen and fifteen years old. (PSR ¶ 66.) When scheduling an appointment, Maxwell sometimes dispatched a car to bring Carolyn to the villa; Carolyn was fourteen or fifteen and did not have a driver's license. (Id.)

Maxwell knew Carolyn's age and circumstances because she had multiple personal conversations with Carolyn about her life. (PSR ¶ 67.) During those conversations, Carolyn disclosed that she had previously been sexually abused by a relative, that her parents were separated, and that her mother struggled with addiction. Maxwell asked Carolyn whether she had ever used sex toys. Maxwell invited Carolyn to travel with her and Epstein; Carolyn told Maxwell she could not — she was only fourteen, had no passport, and her mother would not permit it. (EFTA02827153; PSR ¶ 68.)

The prosecution presented Carolyn's 2009 civil deposition testimony at trial, in which Carolyn confirmed under oath that Maxwell called her to set up massage appointments:

"Q: In fact, Mr. Epstein himself did not contact you on each occasion and request you to come, did he? A: No. He would have Sarah or Maxwell call me." (EFTA02827153; Trial Tr. quoted in closing argument.)

She stated this twice in the 2009 deposition. The prosecution called this fact — confirmed twice under oath years before the trial — as independent corroboration of Maxwell's operational role.

Carolyn's then-boyfriend Sean also corroborated the 2001 timeline and Maxwell's role. He testified that Carolyn began making money by going to Epstein's house a few weeks after they met, in 2001 when Carolyn was fourteen. He recalled that Carolyn told him she interacted with Maxwell inside Epstein's house, and that Carolyn could not pronounce Maxwell's first name.

At some point, Epstein asked Carolyn whether she had young friends who could be brought for massages. Carolyn complied — she ended up bringing multiple girls, including multiple minors, to Epstein's residence. During those sessions, Epstein masturbated and touched both Carolyn and her friends' breasts and buttocks; both Carolyn and her friend received hundreds of dollars in cash. (PSR ¶ 71.) One of those minors was Melissa, who was sixteen years old; an entry reading "Melissa's cell (Carolyn's friend)" appeared in Epstein and Maxwell's address book under the heading "Massage — Florida," alongside multiple entries with Carolyn's own full name and "Virginia (parents)." (EFTA02838374, PSR ¶ 80.)

Maxwell saw Carolyn fully nude in the massage room on approximately three occasions before Epstein entered. On one of those occasions, when Carolyn was fourteen, Maxwell entered the massage room while Carolyn had already undressed to set up the table. Maxwell told Carolyn she had a nice body and touched her breasts. (PSR ¶ 69.)

Epstein also sent Carolyn packages — including lingerie — by mail to her home. (EFTA02827153.)

The abuse continued across the full range of Carolyn's adolescence and into early adulthood. Documentary evidence admitted at trial included a message book seized from the Palm Beach residence containing two messages from Carolyn using her full name: one dated November 2004 (Government Exhibit 4B) and one dated March 1, 2005 (Government Exhibit 4F). Carolyn herself testified at trial that she stopped going to Epstein's house because, as she put it, she had "become too old" — at age eighteen. (Trial Tr. 1549.)

Testimony and Legal Record

Maxwell Trial (2021)

Carolyn testified in person at the Maxwell criminal trial in the Southern District of New York, Case No. 1:20-cr-00330-PAE, in November and December 2021. She testified under her first name only. She was one of four named accusers.

Her testimony addressed: the initial introduction by Virginia Giuffre; Maxwell's direction to bring her upstairs; the nature of the abuse during more than 100 sessions; Maxwell's personal role in scheduling; Maxwell's conversations with her about her background and age; the packages Epstein sent; and her recruitment of additional girls at Epstein's request.

Count Six of the superseding indictment related solely to Carolyn. The jury convicted Maxwell on Count Six.

The prosecution's closing argument addressed Carolyn's account at length, using documentary evidence (message books, phone records, lingerie packages) and corroborating testimony (Sean's account) to confirm specific claims she had made. (EFTA02827153.)

2009 Civil Deposition

Before the Maxwell trial, Carolyn had given a civil deposition in 2009 in which she stated that Maxwell called her to schedule sessions with Epstein. That deposition testimony was introduced at the Maxwell trial as independent corroboration. She stated twice — under oath in 2009 — that Maxwell called her.

Sentencing (June 2022)

Carolyn's experiences were a central subject of the government's sentencing memorandum, filed June 22, 2022 (EFTA02838374). The memorandum presented her account under the heading "Sexual Abuse of Carolyn" and described in detail the nature of the abuse, Maxwell's scheduling role, Maxwell's knowledge of Carolyn's age and background, and the downstream trafficking of additional minors (including Melissa) that resulted from the pyramid scheme that ran through Carolyn.

At sentencing, Carolyn described her experience: "my soul is broken and so is my heart." (Trial Tr. 1678.) The sentencing memorandum notes that "Over her years of abuse at Epstein's hands, Carolyn fell deeper into drug addiction, and she has experienced significant struggles with mental health and addiction throughout her adult life." (PSR ¶ 59; EFTA02838374.)

Maxwell was sentenced to twenty years in federal prison on June 28, 2022.

Public Statements and Advocacy

Carolyn testified under her first name at the Maxwell trial in 2021, revealing herself in an open courtroom. She did not issue a formal public statement after the verdict that has been confirmed in the press record reviewed for this profile. Her identity as "Carolyn" in the trial proceedings was confirmed publicly when she died in 2023.

Her self-description at sentencing — "my soul is broken and so is my heart" — entered the public record through trial transcripts and was quoted in news coverage of her death.

Her mother, Dorothy Groenert, spoke to the press after Carolyn's death, questioning the official determination and stating she had "begged" authorities not to close the investigation. The Daily Beast published a photograph provided by Dorothy Groenert. Groenert's public statements brought additional attention to Carolyn's life story and the circumstances of her death.

Legal Actions and Outcomes

Maxwell Trial — Count Six: Carolyn's testimony formed the exclusive basis for Count Six of the superseding indictment against Ghislaine Maxwell. The jury convicted Maxwell on Count Six in December 2021. Maxwell was sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment on June 28, 2022.

2009 Civil Deposition: Carolyn gave deposition testimony in civil proceedings in 2009, which was later used at the Maxwell criminal trial. The substance of that deposition — particularly her statements about Maxwell calling to schedule appointments — was confirmed by multiple documentary exhibits admitted at trial.

Message Book Entries: Government Exhibits 4B and 4F — messages in a book seized from Epstein's Palm Beach residence — bore Carolyn's first and last name, dated November 2004 and March 1, 2005, corroborating the timeline she testified to and helping establish that the Maxwell conspiracy ran past November 1, 2004, a critical sentencing determination. (EFTA02838374.)

Defense Challenges: At sentencing, Maxwell's defense challenged Carolyn's recollection of the timeline of abuse, arguing that it ended before 2004. (EFTA02838256.) The government's sentencing reply rebutted these challenges point by point, relying on documentary evidence — the message book entries, trial testimony, and birth certificate — to confirm Carolyn's account. The Court credited the government's position.

Key Claims for DOJ Evidence Cross-Reference

1. Age at first abuse: Carolyn was fourteen years old when Virginia Giuffre brought her to Epstein's Palm Beach villa in 2001. Maxwell met her on that first visit and directed Giuffre to bring Carolyn upstairs and show her "what to do." This is documented in EFTA02838374 (PSR ¶ 62) and confirmed by Carolyn's 2009 deposition testimony admitted at the Maxwell trial.
2. Maxwell's scheduling role: Maxwell personally scheduled Carolyn's massage appointments for the first year or two of the abuse, when Carolyn was between fourteen and fifteen years old. Maxwell confirmed twice under Carolyn's 2009 oath: "He would have Sarah or Maxwell call me." This is documented in EFTA02827153 and EFTA02838374 (PSR ¶ 66).
3. Maxwell's knowledge of age: Maxwell knew Carolyn was fourteen. Carolyn told Maxwell she was too young to travel and had no passport; Maxwell knew her background because they had multiple personal conversations. This is documented in EFTA02838374 (PSR ¶¶ 67–68) and EFTA02827153.
4. Nature and duration of abuse: More than 100 sessions across approximately four years (ages 14–18); each session involved masturbation; nipple touching was directed; Carolyn's breasts and buttocks were touched; on one occasion a vibrator was used; on two occasions Carolyn was engaged in oral sex with other females; on one occasion Epstein raped Carolyn. Documented in EFTA02838374 (PSR ¶¶ 63–72).
5. Maxwell personally touched Carolyn: On approximately three occasions Maxwell entered the massage room while Carolyn was already fully undressed. On one occasion, Maxwell told Carolyn she had a nice body and touched her breasts. Documented in EFTA02838374 (PSR ¶ 69).
6. Car dispatched for Carolyn: Maxwell sent a car to bring Carolyn to appointments because Carolyn was fourteen or fifteen and had no driver's license. Documented in EFTA02838374 (PSR ¶ 66).
7. Payment structure: Carolyn was paid several hundred dollars in cash per session, consistent with the documented Palm Beach payment structure. Maxwell personally paid Carolyn on at least a few occasions. Documented in EFTA02838374 (PSR ¶ 65).
8. Pyramid scheme — additional minor victims: At Epstein's direction, Carolyn recruited additional girls, including multiple minors. At least one — Melissa, age 16 — was separately documented in the sentencing memo. Carolyn and Melissa's contact information appeared in the "Massage — Florida" section of Epstein and Maxwell's address book. Documented in EFTA02838374 (PSR ¶¶ 71, 80).
9. Trial conviction: The jury convicted Maxwell on Count Six, which related solely to Carolyn, in December 2021. Documented in the Maxwell trial record.
10. Ongoing abuse into adulthood: Carolyn testified she stopped going to Epstein's house because she had "become too old" at age eighteen; message book entries dated November 2004 and March 2005 bearing her name corroborate the extended timeline. Documented in EFTA02838374 and Government Exhibits 4B and 4F.

DOJ File Evidence

Summary Assessment

Carolyn Andriano is one of the most extensively documented victims in the DOJ Epstein Files corpus, and her testimony was the single most consequential piece of evidence at the Maxwell trial. The jury convicted Maxwell on the count dedicated solely to her account. At least one juror publicly described her testimony as the most gripping and pivotal of the trial.

She was fourteen years old when Virginia Giuffre — herself a trafficking victim coerced into the recruiter role — brought her to Epstein's Palm Beach villa. Ghislaine Maxwell greeted them at the door, gave Giuffre explicit instructions to bring Carolyn upstairs and "show her what to do," personally scheduled her appointments for the first year or two of abuse, dispatched cars to bring her to sessions, and had multiple personal conversations with Carolyn in which Carolyn disclosed her age, her history of childhood sexual abuse, and her family circumstances. Maxwell knew precisely who Carolyn was and what was being done to her.

The abuse lasted four years, across more than 100 sessions, and included rape and sexual assault by Epstein and the coercive recruitment of additional minor victims by Carolyn herself — a direct downstream consequence of the pyramid scheme in which Carolyn had been ensnared.

Carolyn's pre-trial 2009 deposition, her in-court trial testimony, the documentary evidence introduced at trial, the corroborating testimony of her then-boyfriend Sean, the message book entries bearing her name, and the comprehensive account in the government's sentencing memorandum together constitute one of the most fully corroborated victim accounts in the entire corpus.

She died on May 23, 2023. Her death — and the circumstances surrounding it — remain a subject of concern to her family and to survivor communities. She was thirty-six years old.