A viral video filmed in Florida has reignited long-standing conspiracy theories surrounding the death of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a man resembling him was spotted in public.

The clip, which quickly spread across social media, showed a man whose appearance bore a striking resemblance to Epstein, prompting some users to speculate that he might still be alive.

The rumours gathered traction amid ongoing online debates about Epstein’s controversial death in a New York jail in 2019.

However, the mystery man has now been identified as “Palm Beach Pete,” whose real name is Peter. Addressing the speculation directly on Instagram, Pete dismissed the claims, clarifying that he is not Epstein and expressing surprise over his sudden internet fame. He also thanked viewers who defended him while firmly rejecting the conspiracy theories.

As attention around the video grew, Pete shared more about his background. He described himself as a former Division 1 tennis player and a gold medalist, who previously worked in commercial real estate in New York City before retiring. He added that he now leads an active lifestyle, often spending time playing tennis or watching hockey with his children.

The confusion was further fueled by resurfaced clips from the reality show The Real Housewives of New York City, where Pete briefly appeared, with some posts mislabeling the footage and adding to the speculation.

In interviews with outlets including TMZ, Pete also revealed that he had attended social gatherings where Epstein was present, but insisted he never interacted with him directly. He described Epstein as “creepy” and maintained that their paths only crossed in passing at large events.

The viral moment comes as renewed attention is being drawn to Epstein’s case following the release of fresh documents, once again fueling public debate and online conspiracy theories about his life and death.