Russian tycoon who called Epstein's ex-girlfriend Maxwell his soulmate found dead

A Russian businessman whose name recently appeared in the newly released Epstein files has allegedly died by suicide in Moscow, weeks after the document disclosure renewed scrutiny over his past ties. Umar Dzhabrailov, a Chechen-born mogul and former senator, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head in a luxury apartment in the Russian capital around 3 am on Monday, according to local media reports, citing police sources.

A pistol was recovered next to the 67-year-old’s body and investigators are treating the case as a suspected suicide. No note was found. Dzhabrailov had previously attempted to take his own life in 2020 and once addressed convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein, as a “soulmate”, The New York Post reported.

Dzhabrailov was among several Russian names that surfaced in a February US Justice Department release of Epstein-related documents. In the fresh batch, he was among the 300 names listed that included US President Donald Trump, former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama, former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, actors Robert De Niro and Bill Cosby, and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

Emails from 2001 revealed Dzhabrailov corresponding with Maxwell, who was later convicted of helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls.

In one message, Dzhabrailov expressed eagerness to meet Maxwell in Moscow in 2001 and offered to make arrangements for her visit. Maxwell replied that she, Epstein and others planned to travel to Moscow the following week, according to The New York Post.

“Dear Ghislaine, I’m back from London, planing 2 B in Moscow. Really want 2 C U, but I need 2 know exactly when U arive, cause I want 2 take care of U and arrange welcoming things. Wishing U all the best! Umar,” read the email, dated May 24, 2001.

Maxwell responded the following day, writing, “Umar, sorry that we did not come last week. Got side tracked and ended up in France. However, Jeffrey Tom and I are coming next week, arriving Fri. Will you be around and can we get together? Let me know. Hope you are well. Ghislaine.”

The nature and extent of Dzhabrailov’s relationship with Maxwell remain unclear.

However, after Maxwell’s conviction in 2022, he publicly described her as a “soulmate” and said he had been introduced to Epstein through her. He added that he was unaware of any criminal activities and expressed regret over Maxwell’s life sentence.

Dzhabrailov built his fortune in the hospitality and retail sectors, at one point owning the Radisson Slavyanskaya Hotel and Business Center in Moscow and leading a company managing shopping centres across Russia.

He also served as a member of Russia’s Federation Council representing Chechnya from 2004 to 2009 and briefly ran for president in 2000 against Vladimir Putin, securing less than 0.1 per cent of the vote.

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