Law enforcement discovered an underground tunnel in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Los Angeles mansion that connects to the nearby Playboy Mansion.
There has been no confirmation that such a tunnel exists. However, media coverage of Combs’ property revealed the home had a pool with an underwater swimming tunnel connected to a grotto.
In late-September 2024, viral posts claimed that authorities found an underground tunnel under the Los Angeles mansion of Sean “Diddy” Combs, a rapper and music mogul. Many of the posts on X said the tunnels connected Combs’ mansion to the nearby Playboy Mansion, a famed party house owned by tycoon Hugh Hefner.
One post stated, “Despite the discovery, the Federal government has yet to release any photos of [the tunnel]. The mainstream media insists there are no connections between this tunnel and the nearby Playboy mansion, located just minutes away.”
(X user @ShadowofEzra)
There is no available evidence that such a tunnel exists. However, news reports noted that one of Combs’ mansions did have a pool with an underwater swimming tunnel. This tunnel was not tied to the Playboy Mansion. We have reached out to the U.S. Department of Justice to learn more about the raid conducted by law enforcement. Until we get more information, we rate this claim as unfounded.
Per news reports, in March 2024, Combs’ properties in Los Angeles, California, and Miami, Florida, were raided by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents as part of an ongoing investigation. Combs’ Los Angeles mansion was located in the upscale Holmby Hills, according to Reuters, the same neighborhood as the Playboy Mansion. However, there is no known underground tunnel connecting the two.
There is, however, an underground swimming tunnel in the Los Angeles mansion. According to a 2014 Los Angeles Times report on Combs’ purchase of the then-new mansion, the European-style villa included “a lagoon-style swimming pool with a grotto connected by an underwater swimming tunnel.”
According to news reports, the mansion’s address is 200 South Mapleton Drive. Gossip site Page Six shared photographs of the mansion’s exterior and reported it was being sold for $61 million in September 2024. Listings and photographs of the same address are available on Realtor.com and Zillow, both property sales sites. Getty Images photographs of the raid on the mansion from March 2024 also match the description of the mansion from the property listings. The underground swimming tunnel is not visible in these images. The description on the property listing states:
One the most spectacular and beautiful estates in Holmby Hills, situated behind gates on over 1.3 entirely level acres. A cobblestone driveway leads to a completely remodeled two story traditional estate with classic European details. Featuring a gorgeous, paneled entry foyer with sweeping staircase flooded with natural light. Large living room, formal dining, wine cellar, office, gourmet kitchen with family room & separate catering kitchen. There’s a state-of-the-art theatre that can accommodate 35 people. Upstairs is the primary suite with luxurious dual baths and large closets, and a wide gallery hallway leads to all guest/family suites. There’s a 2-story guest house with large gym, recording studio and guest bedrooms. The stunning grounds feature beautiful lawns, mature trees, formal gardens, a resort like swimming pool with waterfall and grotto, basketball court, spa house and an outdoor covered loggia with BBQ, bar, and pizza oven.
According to indictment documents, during the March 2024 raids on Combs’ Miami and Los Angeles properties, investigators found narcotics, firearms, ammunition, and supplies for the so-called “Freak Off” parties, referring to the “elaborate and produced sex performances that Combs arranged” and that he allegedly often forced victims to participate in.
The posts spread as Combs was arrested in mid-September 2024 on suspicion of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and interstate transportation for prostitution. Combs also faced a number of court cases over sexual assault allegations. The rapper and mogul is in jail and awaiting trial as of this writing.
Sources
“200 S Mapleton Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90024: $61,500,000.” Realtor.Com®, https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/200-S-Mapleton-Dr_Los-Angeles_CA_90024_M14791-19515. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Barragan, Bianca. “Playboy Mansion Selling to Its Wealthy Neighbor.” Curbed LA, 6 June 2016, https://la.curbed.com/2016/6/6/11869060/playboy-mansion-sale. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Beale, Lauren. “Sean Combs Spends $40 Million for Newly Built Mansion.” Los Angeles Times, 16 Sept. 2014, https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-p-diddy-20140916-story.html. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Capatides, Christina. “A Look inside the Playboy Mansion.” CBS News, 28 Sept. 2017, https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/a-look-inside-the-playboy-mansion/. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
“Homeland Security Raids Holmby Hills Home Associated with Diddy Film Company.” ABC7 Los Angeles, 25 Mar. 2024, https://abc7.com/sean-diddy-combs-puff-daddy-homeland-security-raid-bad-boy-films/14569686/. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Ibrahim, Nur. “Photo Doesn’t Show Harris Attending Party with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.” Snopes, 18 Sept. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/kamala-harris-sean-diddy-combs-photo/. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
“In an Aerial View, the Home of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Is Seen during a…” Getty Images, 25 Mar. 2024, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/in-an-aerial-view-the-home-of-sean-diddy-combs-is-seen-news-photo/2105334884. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Mohr, Ian. “Exclusive | Sean “Diddy” Combs Lists Beverly Hills Mansion for $61 Million: “No Surprise.” 8 Sept. 2024, https://pagesix.com/2024/09/08/entertainment/sean-diddy-combs-lists-beverly-hills-mansion-for-61-million-no-surprise/. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
“Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Properties in L.A. and Miami Raided by Federal Agents.” Reuters, 26 Mar. 2024. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/sean-diddy-combs-properties-la-miami-raided-by-federal-agents-2024-03-25/. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
United States of America v. Sean Combs. United States District Court Southern District of New York, 12 Sept. 2024, https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2024/09/127136161413.pdf. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.