Interlochen probe finds abuse went beyond Jeffrey Epstein
An independent investigation into Interlochen Center for the Arts found decades of alleged sexual misconduct involving 47 people—far beyond donor Jeffrey Epstein. Investigators documented about 70 firsthand alumni reports spanning the 1950s to the 2010s; most abuse occurred before 2000, and none of the accused work there today.
Key Takeaways
- Sanghavi Law Office accused 47 Interlochen-linked adults of sexual conduct with students after roughly 180 interviews.
- About 70 firsthand alumni reports described grooming, sexual touching, intercourse, and long-term “relationships.”
- Two alums said Jeffrey Epstein, a 1990–2003 donor, engaged in physical contact of a sexual nature with them.
- Most reported abuse predated 2000; names were referred to Grand Traverse law enforcement.
- Interlochen apologized, pledged survivor support, and said it will not tolerate predators or enablers.
What Did the Interlochen Investigation Find?
Interlochen hired Sanghavi Law Office after a 2024 report of an incident from decades earlier. The firm’s public findings, released Tuesday, cover alleged abuse at the Academy and Camp between the 1950s and the 2010s.
According to The Ticker, 17 of the 47 accused individuals are deceased, and none are employed by Interlochen now. Alums said misconduct happened on and off campus—in faculty houses, cars, bathrooms, residence halls, trips, and a nearby lake.
Adults in many roles were named in accounts: arts and academic faculty, residence life staff, donors, trustees, and visitors. Survivors described PTSD, therapy needs, damaged relationships, and careers derailed—including students who quit music or the performing arts.
For more institutional abuse coverage, see BlasterPost’s True Crime & Unsolved Mysteries hub.
How Is Jeffrey Epstein Linked to Interlochen?
Epstein donated from 1990 to 2003, funding scholarships and a named lodge. Six alums spoke with investigators; two reported physical contact of a sexual nature. One said he brushed against her inappropriately on campus.
Interlochen renamed the lodge Green Lake Lodge in 2009 and demolished it last month after inviting authorities to photograph it for possible evidentiary use.
The school also publicly identified some other accused figures already charged or deceased with multiple corroborating accounts, including former faculty members Byron Hanson and John “Jack” Hood, and former trustee Charlie McWhorter.
What Is Interlochen Doing After the Report?
Most accused people were not named publicly, to protect victims and avoid undermining law enforcement. The full list went to the Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Office and county prosecutor.
President Trey Devey called the abuse “heartbreaking” and contrary to Interlochen’s mission, apologizing to those harmed. The school said it will fund counseling offsets, strengthen reporting systems, expand prevention education, review naming recognitions, and create an arts installation honoring survivors.
Investigators cited historical risk factors such as limited family communication, power imbalances, oversight gaps, and barriers to reporting. Interlochen says safety policies have tightened over decades and is still accepting additional reports through Sanghavi Law Office through October 2026.