Death of Jeffrey Epstein

On August 10, 2019, American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was found unresponsive in his Metropolitan Correctional Center jail cell, where he was awaiting trial on new sex trafficking charges. According to the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons official statement, "He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries and subsequently pronounced dead by hospital staff." The New York City medical examiner ruled Epstein's death a suicide. Epstein's lawyers challenged that conclusion and opened their own investigation. Epstein's brother Mark hired Michael Baden to oversee the autopsy. In late October, Baden announced that autopsy evidence was more indicative of homicidal strangulation than suicidal hanging. Attorney General William Barr has described Epstein's death as "a perfect storm of screw-ups." Both the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice's inspector general are conducting investigations into the circumstances of his death. The guards on duty were later charged with conspiracy and record falsification. Due to violations of normal jail procedures on the night of his death and Epstein's claimed knowledge of compromising information about famous people, his death generated doubt about his apparent suicide and speculation that he was murdered. Arrest and imprisonment: On July 6, 2019, Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in New York on multiple charges including sex trafficking and placed at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Lower Manhattan. He pleaded not guilty. He had earlier faced similar charges in Florida in 2008, but escaped federal charges in a plea deal. Under the plea deal he pled guilty to two state felony charges, paid restitution to three dozen victims identified by the FBI, and registered as a sex offender in both the states of Florida and New York. On July 18, 2019, Epstein was denied bail after offering US$600,000 to be able to wear an ankle tracker at his New York City townhouse. He was viewed as a potential flight risk due to his 20 international flights in the prior 18 months. Epstein appealed the bail denial decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. At the time of his death, this case was still pending. On July 23, Epstein was found semiconscious in his cell with injuries to his neck. He told his lawyers that he had been assaulted by his cellmate. His cellmate, multiple murder and drug conspiracy suspect Nicholas Tartaglione, was questioned by prison officials but denied harming Epstein. Tartaglione claimed that he had actually saved Epstein. An internal prison investigation reportedly cleared Tartaglione in connection with the event. After Epstein's death, Tartaglione was reportedly threatened by jail guards and told to "stop talking" after describing Epstein's death and conditions in the jail to the media. As a result of the incident, Epstein was placed on suicide watch. He was placed in an observation cell, surrounded by windows, where lights were left on and any devices that could be used by the prisoner to take his own life were not permitted to be retained. Epstein was removed from suicide watch after six days following a psychiatric examination. Some sources have reported that Epstein was removed from suicide watch after claiming that it was Tartaglione who "roughed him up." Epstein was then moved to a special housing unit, where he was supposed to have a cellmate and be checked up on every 30 minutes. On December 18, 2019, in a case against Tartaglione, federal prosecutors admitted that the surveillance footage outside Epstein's cell during the incident had disappeared. Tartaglione's defense had sought to use the footage to demonstrate his character while he reportedly saved Epstein. Tartaglione's lawyer had requested that the footage be retained on July 25, two days after the incident. Judge Kenneth Karas requested that the government determine what had happened to the footage. Several days later, federal prosecutors claimed that they had found the missing footage. Epstein was reportedly depositing funds into other prisoners' accounts to gain their favor or buy protection. On August 8, Jeffrey Epstein signed his last will and testament. The signing of the will was witnessed by two attorneys who knew him. The will named two longtime employees as executors, and immediately gifted all of his assets, and any assets remaining in his estate, to a trust. Death: The jail informed the Justice Department, when Epstein was placed in the special housing unit (SHU), that he would have a cellmate and that a guard would look into the cell every 30 minutes. These procedures were not followed on the night he died. On August 9, Epstein's cellmate was transferred out, and no new replacement cellmate was brought in. The evening of his death, Epstein visited with his lawyer before returning to the SHU at 7:49 PM. Video evidence shows that the two guards failed to perform the required institutional count at 10 PM. Internal evidence shows guard Tova Noel briefly walking by Epstein's cell at 10:30 PM, the last time the guards entered the tier his cell was located on. Throughout the night, in violation of the jail's normal procedure, Epstein was not checked every 30 minutes. The two guards who were assigned to check his cell overnight, Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, fell asleep at their desk for about three hours and later falsified related records. Two cameras in front of Epstein's cell also malfunctioned that night. Another camera had footage which was "unusable." As the guards were distributing breakfast in the morning around 6:30 AM, Epstein was found unresponsive in cardiac arrest in his cell, in what was initially reported as an apparent suicide. He was found in a kneeling position with a bedsheet wrapped around his neck. The sheet was tied to the top of his bunk. At 6:33 AM, the alarm was pulled and a supervisor arrived, to whom Noel said, "Epstein hung himself." He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on August 10, 2019. His body was transported to the medical examiner's office soon after. The news of the death was posted on 4chan about 38 minutes before ABC News broke the news. If it was posted by a first responder, as it has been speculated, it would likely be a violation of privacy law. As of August 2019, the poster is still unidentified, and the review is ongoing. Following an autopsy, Epstein's body was claimed by an "unidentified associate," later revealed to be his brother, Mark. On September 5, Epstein's body was buried in an unmarked grave next to those of his parents at the IJ Morris Star of David cemetery in Palm Beach, Florida. The names of his parents were also removed from their tombstone in order to prevent vandalism. Autopsy: An autopsy on Epstein's body was conducted on August 11 by New York City's Chief Medical Examiner Barbara Sampson. Epstein's lawyers sent pathologist Michael Baden to personally observe the city's autopsy. Following the autopsy, the medical examiner's office reported that Epstein had hanged himself with a sheet from his bed. On August 14, unofficial sources reported that broken bones were found in Epstein's neck, although this can occur in the suicide of the elderly. They are said to be "more common in victims of homicide by strangulation", though multiple studies have found different percentages for both manners of death. Epstein's lawyers released a joint statement following the report of the medical examiner, expressing that they are not satisfied, challenging the conclusions and saying that a more complete response was forthcoming. They also indicated that the defense team fully intends to continue its own independent and complete investigation into the circumstances and cause of their client's death, including taking legal action, if necessary, to view the pivotal camera footage near his cell during the night of his death. They later said that the evidence concerning Epstein's death was "far more consistent" with murder than suicide. On August 16, 2019, Sampson announced that Epstein's death had been ruled a suicide by hanging. Later conflicting reports stated that the injuries Epstein sustained were as consistent, if not more so, with strangulation or homicide as with suicide. However, Sampson's report found that there was no foul play in Epstein's death. Three of Epstein's lawyers expressed their dissatisfaction with Sampson's conclusion of suicide, having hired renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden to observe the autopsy; they said they would be initiating their own investigation and will be providing a more detailed statement in the future. Baden observed Sampson's autopsy when it was conducted; after the autopsy he indicated that he was unable to comment due to gag orders filed by Sampson's office and Epstein's estate. On October 30, 2019, Baden issued a report stating that Epstein's neck injuries were much more consistent with "homicidal strangulation" than suicide. He stated that Epstein "had two fractures on the left and right sides of his larynx, specifically the thyroid cartilage or Adam's apple, as well as one fracture on the left hyoid bone above the Adam's apple". In particular, his hyoid bone, which is rarely broken in suicidal hangings, was broken in a way indicative of strangulation from behind. According to the autopsy files, Epstein also had contusions on both of his wrists, an abrasion on his left forearm, and deep muscle hemorrhaging of his left deltoid or shoulder. His brother, Mark, later suggested that he was "handcuffed and struggled." Epstein also had hemorrhages in his eyes, which although not unheard of in hangings, are more common in strangulations. Baden also suggested that if there was a murderer, their DNA would be found on the ligature and urged that these results "be reported quickly to give an idea and lessen the speculation." Reaction: U.S. President Donald Trump responded to Epstein's death by retweeting a conspiracy theory linking Epstein's death to former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Angel Ureña, a spokesperson for the Clintons, tweeted: "Ridiculous, and of course not true—and Donald Trump knows it." White House counselor Kellyanne Conway defended Trump's retweet, saying on Fox News Sunday that he "wants everything to be investigated". CNN host Jake Tapper later criticized Trump for the retweet, saying "the state of our union is appalled" that Trump had used his "massive Twitter platform to spread a deranged conspiracy theory." Attorney General William Barr said he was "appalled" by Epstein's death while in federal custody and that it "raises serious questions that must be answered." He ordered an investigation by the Justice Department's Inspector General in addition to the FBI investigation. Senator Ben Sasse, chairman of the United States Senate Judiciary oversight subcommittee, later wrote a letter to Barr saying "The Department of Justice failed." He added "Given Epstein's previous attempted suicide, he should have been locked in a padded room under unbroken, 24/7, constant surveillance. Obviously, heads must roll." Rep. Matt Gaetz, who sits on the United States House Judiciary Committee, called on chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler to prioritize investigating the circumstances around Epstein's death over other probes being carried out by the committee. Rep. Lois Frankel called for a congressional investigation into the 2008 plea deal for Epstein. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand called for a "full investigation" into Epstein's death, saying on CBS News' Face the Nation, "These survivors deserved justice, they deserved a day in court, they deserved to speak out against this perpetrator, and it is a shame. I do think there needs to be a full investigation about why he was taken off the suicide watch list; I think it's a strange decision, given that he attempted suicide once already." Sen. Rick Scott said Epstein's death had robbed his victims of an "opportunity for justice. The Federal Bureau of Prisons must provide answers on what systemic failures of the MCC Manhattan or criminal acts allowed this coward to deny justice to his victims." Attorney Lisa Bloom wrote: "On behalf of the victims I represent, we would have preferred he lived to face justice. Our civil cases can still proceed against his estate. Victims deserve to be made whole for the lifelong damage he caused. We're just getting started." On August 12, 2019, the leaders of the House Judiciary Committee, Chairman Nadler and ranking member Doug Collins, sent 23 questions to the Federal Bureau of Prisons about Epstein's death. "The apparent suicide of this high-profile and—if allegations are proven to be accurate—particularly reprehensible individual while in the federal government's custody demonstrates severe miscarriages of or deficiencies in inmate protocol and has allowed the deceased to ultimately evade facing justice," they wrote. "Any victims of Mr. Epstein's actions will forever be denied proper recourse and the scintilla of recompense our justice system can provide in the face of such alleged atrocities; the competency and rigor of our criminal justice system has been marred by this apparent oversight." Later on August 13, Nebraska senator Ben Sasse, the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, wrote a letter to Attorney General Barr urging him to "rip up" the 2008 non-prosecution deal for Epstein and his co-conspirators. Sasse argued that the Justice Department must bring Epstein's co-conspirators to justice despite his death, and added, "This crooked deal cannot stand." "For them to pull him off suicide watch is shocking," Cameron Lindsay, a former warden with experience working at three federal facilities, told NBC News. "For someone this high-profile, with these allegations and this many victims, who has had a suicide attempt in the last few weeks, you can take absolutely no chances. You leave him on suicide watch until he's out of there." Federal prosecutors in the case called Epstein's death "disturbing" and emphasized that they would continue to seek justice for his accusers even after the financier's death. Geoffrey Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement, "To those brave young women who have already come forward and to the many others who have yet to do so, let me reiterate that we remain committed to standing for you, and our investigation of the conduct charged in the indictment—which included a conspiracy count—remains ongoing." Investigations: The Federal Bureau of Investigation subsequently launched an investigation of the circumstances surrounding Epstein's death, with Attorney General Barr saying that Justice Department officials will thoroughly investigate "serious irregularities" at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) where Epstein was found dead. Barr also warned that any of Epstein's alleged co-conspirators "should not rest easy," noting that federal prosecutors will continue to aggressively pursue the case to ensure anyone who worked alongside Epstein will be held accountable. "We are now learning of serious irregularities at this facility that are deeply concerning and demand a thorough investigation," Barr said during remarks at a law enforcement conference in New Orleans. "The FBI and the Office of Inspector General are doing just that." Barr said he was "appalled" and "angry" over the developments; he insisted that the Justice Department would "get to the bottom" of what happened and promised accountability. "Let me assure you this case will continue on against anyone who was complicit with Epstein," Barr said. "Any co-conspirators should not rest easy. The victims deserve justice and they will get it." On August 12, 2019, federal agents searched Epstein's home on his private island, Little Saint James. In November 2019 Kathleen Hawk Sawyer, the director of the Bureau of Prisons, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the FBI is investigating whether a "criminal enterprise" was involved in Epstein's death. She added that there is "no indication, from anything I know" that his death "was anything other than a suicide." A spokesperson later explained that she had used the phrase "criminal enterprise" because that was what Senator Lindsey Graham has asked her about, and that "she was referring to looking into possible criminal conduct by staff." As Barr received more information surrounding Epstein's death, he came to believe that it was only "a perfect storm of screw-ups." On August 13, Attorney General Barr ordered the Bureau of Prisons to temporarily reassign the warden of the MCC, Lamine N'Diaye, while the FBI and Justice Department inspector general investigate the circumstances surrounding Epstein's death. James Petrucci was named acting warden. Two staff members assigned to Epstein's unit have also been placed on administrative leave and James Petrucci, the warden of FCI Otisville, was named acting warden. On August 14, Manhattan federal court judge Richard Berman, who was overseeing Epstein's criminal case, wrote to the Metropolitan Correctional Centre warden Lamine N'Diaye inquiring as to whether an investigation into the millionaire's apparent suicide would include a probe into his prior (July 23) injuries. Judge Berman wrote that to his knowledge it has never been definitely explained what they concluded about the incident. Two French Cabinet officials Marlène Schiappa and Adrien Taquet subsequently called for an investigation into the "many unanswered questions" about Epstein's ties to France, calling for the French government to launch its own probe. "The US investigation has highlighted links with France," Schiappa and Taquet said in the statement, according to ABC. "It thus seems to us fundamental for the victims that an investigation be opened in France so that all is brought to light." "The elements received at the Paris prosecutor's office are being analyzed and cross-referenced," a spokesperson for the office told ABC News. "The first audits are currently underway to determine whether an investigation should be opened in France." On November 19, 2019, federal prosecutors in New York indicted Metropolitan Correctional Center guards Michael Thomas and Tova Noel, charged with creating false records and conspiracy. The charges were based on video footage obtained by prosecutors, indicating that Epstein was not observed by them for eight hours, while the two guards made personal searches on their computers and slept. According to Geoffrey Berman, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, during that time they repeatedly signed records affirming that they had performed the required checks. Their bail was set at $100,000. They claimed that they were "scapegoats" for larger issues within the federal prison system. Homicide suspicions and speculation: Due to violations of standard prison procedures, and Epstein's knowledge of compromising information about famous individuals, his death by "apparent suicide" spawned skepticism, as well as multiple conspiracy theories. A Rasmussen poll conducted in August 2019 found that only 29% of U.S. adults believe Epstein actually committed suicide, while 42% think he was murdered to prevent him from testifying against powerful people with whom he associated, and 29% of people were undecided. By November 2019, a Business Insider poll found that those who believed Epstein was murdered outnumbered suicide proponents three to one. University of Chicago professor Eric Oliver, an expert in conspiracy theories, has labeled populist sentiment and a mistrust of the political system as major contributors to the widespread rejection of the official narrative. Before Epstein's death, several people publicly predicted an untimely death for Epstein in prison. In a July 27 interview, Bob Fitrakis—a longtime investigator into Epstein—stated that he thought it was "likely" that Epstein would be "killed in prison". Spencer Kuvin, a lawyer who represented three alleged victims of Epstein, stated in a July 2019 interview following Epstein's first apparent suicide attempt, that he believed it was an attack on his life, and stated there was a high probability that he would be murdered in prison. Because of his connections to many wealthy and powerful people, there was speculation that some co-conspirator or participant in his sex crimes might have arranged for him to be silenced. In the hours after the death, the hashtags #ClintonBodyCount and #TrumpBodyCount were trending on Twitter as users accused Bill and Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump of being involved in Epstein's death. Several hours after Epstein was found dead, Trump retweeted a conspiracy theory by Terrence K. Williams, a comedian and conservative commentator, suggesting that there was a connection between the Clintons and Epstein's death—furthering a perennial conspiracy theory dating to the early 1990s that the Clintons have had numerous people killed to silence them. The retweet was immediately showcased worldwide. At an August 27 hearing, Epstein defense attorney Reid Weingarten expressed "significant doubts" that death was due to suicide. According to Weingarten, when attorneys met with their client shortly before his death, "we did not see a despairing, despondent, suicidal person". Epstein's brother, Mark, has rejected the possibility of Jeffrey's suicide, claiming, “I could see if he got a life sentence, I could then see him taking himself out, but he had a bail hearing coming up." New York City mayor Bill de Blasio and podcast host Joe Rogan expressed doubts that Epstein's death was due to suicide. Former US Attorney and Senate Judiciary Committee counsel Brett Tolman said that his death was "more than coincidental" considering his "many connections to powerful people". Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has asserted that "American billionaire Jeffrey Epstein was killed several weeks ago - they said he had committed suicide in jail. However, he was killed because he knew a lot of vital secrets connected with very important people in the British and American regimes, and possibly in other countries as well." The father of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, one of Epstein's most vocal alleged victims, stated that "It had to be somebody from above that came and got Epstein and took him out." In popular culture: As more information surrounding Epstein's death became public in November 2019, his death and the possibility of murder became a popular internet meme, particularly in the form of the phrase "Epstein didn't kill himself". The meme gained prominence as it was interjected at the end of live interviews, such as by a Navy SEAL on FOX News, or later a University of Alabama student on MSNBC. The meme also appeared at multiple televised sports games in the form of signs and painted bodies. Arizona Representative Paul Gosar tweeted the phrase in an acrostic form over multiple tweets about the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump. NPR's Scott Simon compared the bait-and-switch aspect of the meme to Rickrolling. HBO is creating a limited series on Epstein's life and death. SonyTV and Lifetime also have similar works in progress.