A British woman involved with Jeffrey Epstein sent the disgraced financier a link to an article about a community descended from enslaved Africans accompanied by the message "where to find new help."
Shelley Lewis, who subsequently discussed motherhood with Epstein, directed him to the piece about the Gullah Geechee community, whose forebears arrived in America as 18th-century slaves.
Lewis, 49, a Manchester-based children's book publisher turned "wellness entrepreneur," was previously identified by Ghislaine Maxwell as Epstein's girlfriend from 1999 to 2002.
US Department of Justice documents reveal they maintained contact as recently as 2018 - one year before Epstein's arrest and subsequent death in a prison cell.
The emails offer insight into their relationship spanning multiple years.
A 2010 message saw Lewis write to Epstein: "i just gave you a great gift by enabling you to 'do what you do' gracefully."
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A June 2017 email thread appeared to reference discussions about having a child with Epstein, with Lewis writing: "don't worry, won't put you on the spot about a baby."
In 2014, she wrote to him: "Love you!!!"
Another exchange saw her send him a photograph of a pig dressed as a tiger, prompting his reply: "predator on the outside, gentle inside. The opposite of what I have to deal with."
Lewis appeared to assist Epstein with renovations at his New York properties and private Caribbean island.
One exchange saw him ask: "what happened to the little girl design," to which she replied: "she's very nice, but is no good!"
There is no suggestion Lewis was aware of any criminal behaviour by Epstein during their alleged relationship period.
Other messages show her requesting he guarantee an apartment and provide $3,000 monthly payments.
Her name appears repeatedly on Epstein's private aircraft flight logs, sometimes travelling alone with the financier to destinations including New York and Little St James - Epstein's private island where many alleged offences reportedly occurred.
The pair are believed to have met in 1999 when Lewis, then 22, worked for Christie's auction house in New York. Epstein was 46 at the time.
A January 2015 email saw Maxwell write to Epstein: "I would appreciate it if Shelley would come out and say she was your g'friend – I think she was from end [19]99 to 2002."
Epstein replied: "OK with me."
The period overlapped with Virginia Giuffre's allegations that she was coerced into sexual relations with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor - claims he has denied.
Another 2010 email saw Lewis request Epstein's help covering visa expenses, writing: "the full cost of my visa is going to be more like 12,000 – 7 plus another 5 – as there are other direct costs involved that are necessary to obtain the 01 things such as dissolving my existing company, setting up a new one and publishing it, trademark and paying a small amount for some online marketing. Is this ok?"
Epstein responded that she should "check with another attorney."
April 2010 brought Lewis writing: "i misperceived my value in your life, and bent to your line of thought i spent too long honoring relationship/s that didn't serve me or had expired."
Later that year she told him: "I'd feel even better if I we could unravel our contention cos i'm so agitated when we aren't harmonious. i wish i knew how to make YOU happy."
In 2012, Epstein sent Lewis an article examining alternative relationship models including polyamory.
She replied: "I love this, it's remarkable how refreshing, cathartic even discussing these concepts feel to me."
According to her LinkedIn profile, Lewis now operates from Abu Dhabi where she runs a wellness company.
The Express invited Lewis to comment via her company website.
