Hawking Family Issues Statement on Viral Photo from Epstein Documents
The family of the late physicist Professor Stephen Hawking has released a statement to address a photograph of him that recently went viral online. This image emerged in court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, which were disclosed by the United States Department of Justice.
Context of the Photograph
In the photograph, Hawking is seen smiling while seated between two women wearing bikinis. The picture was taken in 2006 at a hotel in St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. At that time, Hawking was attending a science conference that was sponsored by or associated with events connected to Epstein's network of contacts.
A spokesperson for Hawking's family clarified that the two women in the photo were his long-term carers from the United Kingdom. They emphasized that these individuals were not strangers or people with any connection to wrongdoing. The family explained that Hawking lived with motor neurone disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, for more than five decades. This condition left him paralyzed and dependent on full-time medical care, including assistance from carers, a ventilator, a voice synthesiser, and a wheelchair.
Family's Defense and Hawking's Legacy
The family stated, "Professor Hawking made some of the greatest contributions to physics in the 20th century while at the same time being the longest-known survivor of motor neurone disease, a debilitating condition which left him reliant on a ventilator, voice synthesiser, wheelchair, and round-the-clock medical care. Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct on his part is wrong and far-fetched in the extreme."
Hawking passed away in March 2018 at the age of 76. His name appears multiple times in the Epstein files, which contain millions of pages of documents, emails, and other records related to the now-deceased pedophile's activities. However, the family and sources indicate that his presence in these documents is primarily linked to his academic work and participation in events, not to any illegal or unethical behavior.
Details of the 2006 Symposium
Hawking was among a group of prominent scientists invited to the 2006 science symposium titled "Energy of Empty Space That Isn't Zero." During this event, he delivered a talk on quantum cosmology alongside other researchers. The visit included various activities in St Thomas and, according to reports, a trip to Epstein's Little Saint James island. Notably, no publicly released documents show Hawking and Epstein pictured together.
In addition to the photo with the two carers, other images from the same visit depict Hawking at a barbecue and on a submarine trip. Epstein had arranged modifications to the submarine to accommodate Hawking's disability, allowing him to participate.
Broader Implications and Clarifications
The photograph is part of a larger batch of material released from the Epstein files. The family's statement aims to counter any misconceptions or false implications arising from Hawking's association with these documents. They stress that his inclusion does not imply any wrongdoing or illegal activity on his part.
This clarification comes amid ongoing public interest in the Epstein case and its connections to various high-profile individuals. The Hawking family's proactive response seeks to protect his legacy and ensure accurate public understanding of his life and work.
