Death of Jeffrey Epstein

{{further|Jeffrey Epstein#Legal issues}}

File:MCC New York jeh.JPG, where Epstein was held after his 2019 arrest]]

On July 6, 2019, Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in New York City on multiple charges, including sex trafficking, and held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center{{efn|group=note|Within the MCC, Epstein was placed in the Special Housing Unit to protect him from violence by inmates in the general population.{{cite news|last1=Mangan|first1=Dan|last2=Breuninger|first2=Kevin|date=July 24, 2019|title=Jeffrey Epstein on suicide watch after accused sex trafficker is found injured in New York jail|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/24/jeffrey-epstein-injured-in-federal-jail-in-manhattan.html|publisher=CNBC|access-date=October 18, 2020|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008071319/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/24/jeffrey-epstein-injured-in-federal-jail-in-manhattan.html|url-status=live}}}} in Lower Manhattan.{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Vivian|last2=Watkins|first2=Ali|date=July 7, 2019|title=Jeffrey Epstein Is Accused of Luring Girls to His Manhattan Mansion and Abusing Them|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/07/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-sex-trafficking.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 18, 2020|archive-date=July 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710171908/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/07/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-sex-trafficking.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/jeffrey-epstein-charged-manhattan-federal-court-sex-trafficking-minors|title=Jeffrey Epstein Charged in Manhattan Federal Court With Sex Trafficking Of Minors|date=July 9, 2019|website=The United States Attorney's Office: Southern District of New York|publisher=United States Department of Justice|access-date=October 18, 2020|archive-date=July 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708184612/https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/jeffrey-epstein-charged-manhattan-federal-court-sex-trafficking-minors|url-status=live}} He pleaded not guilty.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/08/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-charges.html |title=Jeffrey Epstein Is Indicted on Sex Charges as Discovery of Nude Photos Is Disclosed |first1=Ali |last1=Watkins |date=July 8, 2019 |work=The New York Times |access-date=August 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709231201/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/08/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-charges.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-jeffrey-epstein/financier-epstein-pleads-not-guilty-to-sex-trafficking-charges-involving-girls-idUSKCN1U3136 |title=Financier Epstein pleads not guilty to sex trafficking charges involving girls |first1=Brendan |last1=Pierson |date=July 8, 2019 |work=Reuters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609175856/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-jeffrey-epstein/financier-epstein-pleads-not-guilty-to-sex-trafficking-charges-involving-girls-idUSKCN1U3136|archive-date=June 9, 2020}} He faced similar charges in Florida in 2008, but escaped federal charges in a plea deal. Under its provisions, he pleaded guilty to two state felony charges, paid restitution to three dozen victims identified by the FBI, and registered as a sex offender in both Florida and New York.{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Julie K.|author-link=Julie K. Brown |title=How a future Trump Cabinet member gave a serial sex abuser the deal of a lifetime |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article220097825.html |access-date=November 28, 2018 |work=Miami Herald |date=November 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128153832/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article220097825.html |archive-date=November 28, 2018|url-status=live}}

On July 18, 2019, Epstein was denied bail after offering $600,000 to be able to wear an ankle tracker at his New York City townhouse. He was viewed as a potential flight risk because of the 20 international flights he took in the previous 18 months.{{cite news |date=July 18, 2019 |first1=Bobby |last1=Allyn |first2=Brakkton |last2=Booker |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/07/18/741802612/jeffrey-epstein-is-denied-bail-in-sex-trafficking-case |title=Jeffrey Epstein Is Denied Bail in Sex Trafficking Case |publisher=NPR |access-date=August 12, 2019 |archive-date=August 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812193316/https://www.npr.org/2019/07/18/741802612/jeffrey-epstein-is-denied-bail-in-sex-trafficking-case |url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=July 18, 2019 |first1=Dan |last1=Mangan |first2=Kevin |last2=Breuninger |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/18/jeffrey-epstein-bail-hearing-in-child-sex-traffic-case.html |title=Jeffrey Epstein's lust for young girls appears 'uncontrollable', judge says in denying bail to accused sex trafficker |publisher=CNBC |access-date=December 7, 2019 |archive-date=July 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718155900/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/18/jeffrey-epstein-bail-hearing-in-child-sex-traffic-case.html |url-status=live}} Epstein appealed the bail denial decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; at the time of his death, the appeal was still pending.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/23/jeffrey-epstein-appeals-bail-denial-decision-in-sex-trafficking-case.html|title=Jeffrey Epstein appeals bail denial decision in child sex trafficking case |first1=Kevin |last1=Breuninger |first2=Dan |last2=Mangan |date=July 23, 2019|publisher=CNBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610210029/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/23/jeffrey-epstein-appeals-bail-denial-decision-in-sex-trafficking-case.html|archive-date=June 10, 2020}}

At 1:27{{nbsp}}a.m. on July 23, 2019, Epstein was found semiconscious in his cell with injuries to his neck. Prison officials questioned his cellmate, multiple murder and drug conspiracy suspect Nicholas Tartaglione. He denied harming Epstein.{{cite web |date=July 25, 2019 |first1=Joelle |last1=Goldstein |url=https://people.com/crime/jeffrey-epstein-found-injured-nyc-jail-cell/ |title=Jeffrey Epstein Found Injured in NYC Jail Cell as Fellow Inmate Denies Assaulting Accused Pedophile |work=People |access-date=November 18, 2019 |archive-date=November 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127004859/https://people.com/crime/jeffrey-epstein-found-injured-nyc-jail-cell/ |url-status=live}} An internal prison investigation cleared Tartaglione of any connection to the event.{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/jeffrey-epstein-s-former-cellmate-cleared-wrongdoing-incident-preceded-his-n1043341 |title=Jeffrey Epstein's former cellmate cleared of wrongdoing in incident that preceded his death |last1=Schapiro |first1=Rich |last2=Dienst |first2=Johnathan |date=August 16, 2019 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=August 21, 2019 |archive-date=August 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820181148/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/jeffrey-epstein-s-former-cellmate-cleared-wrongdoing-incident-preceded-his-n1043341 |url-status=live}} An unnamed source claimed Epstein staged the incident in order to be transferred.{{Cite web|date=July 25, 2019|title=Jeffrey Epstein found injured in New York jail cell|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/jeffrey-epstein-found-injured-marks-his-neck-new-york-jail-n1034301|access-date=July 16, 2020|publisher=NBC News|archive-date=July 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725044246/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/jeffrey-epstein-found-injured-marks-his-neck-new-york-jail-n1034301|url-status=live}} Spencer Kuvin, a lawyer who represented three of Epstein's alleged victims, said in July 2019, after Epstein's first apparent suicide attempt, that he believed it was an attack on his life, and that there was a high probability that he would be murdered in prison.{{cite web |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/20190810/jeffrey-epstein-lsquohe-could-buy-anything-including-his-own-deathrsquo |title=Jeffrey Epstein: 'He could buy anything, including his own death' |last1=Ramadan |first1=Lulu |date=August 10, 2019 |website=The Palm Beach Post |access-date=August 11, 2019 |archive-date=August 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811021448/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/20190810/jeffrey-epstein-lsquohe-could-buy-anything-including-his-own-deathrsquo |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/i-question-whether-or-not-it-was-a-true-suicide-attempt-lawyer-for-victims-worried-epstein-wont-make-it-to-trial/ |title='I Do Question Whether It Was a True Suicide Attempt': Victims' Lawyer Worries Epstein Won't Make It to Trial |last1=Clibanoff |first1=Matt |date=July 29, 2019 |work=Law & Crime |access-date=August 11, 2019 |archive-date=August 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811220842/https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/i-question-whether-or-not-it-was-a-true-suicide-attempt-lawyer-for-victims-worried-epstein-wont-make-it-to-trial/ |url-status=live}}

As a result of the incident, Epstein was placed on suicide watch.{{Cite web|last1=Williams|first1=Pete|last2=Burke|first2=Minyvonne|date=August 24, 2019|title=Jeffrey Epstein was taken off suicide watch by high-level psychologist|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/jeffrey-epstein-was-taken-suicide-watch-high-level-psychologist-n1046071|url-status=live|access-date=March 2, 2021|publisher=NBC News|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108013105/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/jeffrey-epstein-was-taken-suicide-watch-high-level-psychologist-n1046071}} He was held in an observation cell, surrounded by windows, where lights were left on and any devices that he could use to kill himself were not permitted.{{Cite news|last=Watkins|first=Ali|date=August 10, 2019|title=Why Wasn't Jeffrey Epstein on Suicide Watch When He Died?|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/10/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-suicide-watch.html|access-date=April 22, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412024103/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/10/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-suicide-watch.html|url-status=live}} After six days, psychological staff removed Epstein from suicide watch following a psychiatric examination.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/11/jeffrey-epsteins-autopsy-results-are-expected-today-medical-examiner-says.html |title=Jeffrey Epstein's autopsy results expected as FBI and DOJ watchdog investigate apparent suicide |last1=Newburger |first1=Emma |date=August 11, 2019 |publisher=CNBC |access-date=August 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307123652/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/11/jeffrey-epsteins-autopsy-results-are-expected-today-medical-examiner-says.html|archive-date=March 7, 2020}} He then returned to the special housing unit (SHU), where he was to have a cellmate and be checked on every 30 minutes.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/10/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-suicide-watch.html |title=Why Wasn't Jeffrey Epstein on Suicide Watch When He Died? |first1=Ali |last1=Watkins |date=August 10, 2019 |access-date=December 18, 2019 |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629225142/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/10/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-suicide-watch.html|archive-date=June 29, 2020}}

A note written by Epstein was found in his cell after his death. In it, he complained about large bugs crawling on his body, guard Tova Noel giving him burnt food, and a guard intentionally locking him in a shower cell without clothes for an hour.{{efn|group=note|This letter was written in ballpoint pen, despite the fact that no prisoners, especially those on suicide watch, were allowed to have one under jail protocol.}} On August 8, Epstein signed his last will and testament, witnessed by two attorneys who knew him. The will named two longtime employees as executors, and immediately gifted all his assets, and any assets remaining in his estate, to a trust.{{Cite web|last=Pascus|first=Brian|date=August 21, 2019|title=What we know about Jeffrey Epstein's will, and what happens next with his estate|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-we-know-about-jeffrey-epsteins-will-and-what-happens-next-with-his-estate/|url-status=live|access-date=March 2, 2021|publisher=CBS News|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222125256/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-we-know-about-jeffrey-epsteins-will-and-what-happens-next-with-his-estate/}}{{Cite news|last1=Eder|first1=Steve|last2=Watkins|first2=Ali|date=August 19, 2019|title=Jeffrey Epstein's Will: He Signed 2 Days Before Killing Himself|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/19/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-will.html|url-status=live|access-date=March 2, 2021|archive-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213035219/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/19/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-will.html}}

When Epstein was placed in the Security Housing Unit (SHU), the jail informed the Justice Department 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/11/nyregion/epstein-death-manhattan-correctional-center.html |title=Before Jail Suicide, Epstein Was Left Alone and Not Closely Monitored |last1=Benner |first1=Katie |date=August 11, 2019 |work= The New York Times |access-date=August 11, 2019 |last2=Ivory |first2=Danielle |last3=Oppel, Jr. |first3=Richard A. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621163709/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/11/nyregion/epstein-death-manhattan-correctional-center.html|archive-date=June 21, 2020}} On August 9, Epstein's cellmate was transferred, and no replacement was brought in. The evening of his death, Epstein met with his lawyers, who described him as "upbeat" before being escorted back to the SHU at 7:49{{nbsp}}p.m. by guard Tova Noel.{{cite news |title=60 Minutes investigates the death of Jeffrey Epstein |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/did-jeffrey-epstein-kill-himself-60-minutes-investigates-2020-01-05/ |publisher=CBS |access-date=January 5, 2020 |date=January 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706171746/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/did-jeffrey-epstein-kill-himself-60-minutes-investigates-2020-01-05/|archive-date=July 6, 2020}} CCTV footage shows that the two guards failed to perform the required institutional count at 10:00{{nbsp}}p.m. and recorded Noel briefly walking by Epstein's cell at 10:30{{nbsp}}p.m., the last time the guards entered the tier where his cell was located.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/19/us/jeffrey-epstein-death-timeline/index.html |title=A timeline of what Jeffrey Epstein and his prison guards did in his final hours |last1=Levenson |first1=Eric |date=November 19, 2019 |publisher=CNN |access-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111132130/https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/19/us/jeffrey-epstein-death-timeline/index.html|archive-date=January 11, 2020}} Through the night, in violation of the jail's normal procedure, Epstein was not checked every 30 minutes. The two guards assigned to check his cell overnight, Noel and Michael Thomas, fell asleep at their desk{{efn|group=note|Their desk was about 15 feet away from Epstein's cell, but up a flight of stairs and through a locked gate.}} for about three hours and later falsified related records.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-jail-officers.html |title=Jeffrey Epstein Death: 2 Guards Slept Through Checks and Falsified Records |last1=Benner |first1=Katie |date=August 13, 2019 |work=The New York Times |access-date=August 14, 2019 |last2=Ivory |first2=Danielle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629081251/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-jail-officers.html|archive-date=June 29, 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-jeffrey-epstein-guards/two-jail-guards-for-jeffrey-epstein-charged-with-cover-up-in-his-suicide-idUSKBN1XT1VY |title=Two jail guards for Jeffrey Epstein charged with cover-up in his suicide |last1=Pierson |first1=brendan |date=August 13, 2019 |work=Reuters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210094830/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-jeffrey-epstein-guards/two-jail-guards-for-jeffrey-epstein-charged-with-cover-up-in-his-suicide-idUSKBN1XT1VY|archive-date=February 10, 2020}} Two cameras in front of Epstein's cell also malfunctioned that night.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-jeffrey-epstein-cameras-idUSKCN1VI2LC |title=FBI studies two broken cameras outside cell where Epstein died: source |last1=Hosenball |first1=Mark |date=August 28, 2019 |work=Reuters |access-date=August 29, 2019 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622111206/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-jeffrey-epstein-cameras-idUSKCN1VI2LC|archive-date=June 22, 2020}} Another camera had footage that was "unusable".

File:Epstein Body Moved From New York Hospital to Medical Examiner's Office.webm

As the guards were distributing breakfast shortly after 6:30{{nbsp}}a.m. on the morning of August 10, Epstein was found unresponsive in cardiac arrest in his cell. He was found in a kneeling position with a strip of bedsheet{{efn|group=note|Epstein's possession of a bedsheet would have been against jail protocol when he was under suicide watch, but at the time of his death he was only under supervision and therefore allowed it.{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190814-usa-jeffrey-epstein-guards-fraud-hanging-suicide-prison-sex-trafficking |title=Jeffrey Epstein's guards placed on leave under suspicion of falsifying jail records |date=August 14, 2019 |publisher=France 24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311001533/https://www.france24.com/en/20190814-usa-jeffrey-epstein-guards-fraud-hanging-suicide-prison-sex-trafficking|archive-date=March 11, 2020}}}} wrapped around his neck. The sheet was tied to the top of his bunk.{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2019/08/16/official-autopsy-shows-jeffrey-epstein-hanged-himself-in-jail-cell/ |title=Jeffrey Epstein's official autopsy confirms he hanged himself in jail cell |date=August 16, 2019 |website=New York Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609220405/https://nypost.com/2019/08/16/official-autopsy-shows-jeffrey-epstein-hanged-himself-in-jail-cell/|archive-date=June 9, 2020}} He was believed to have been dead for about two hours by then. The guards performed CPR on Epstein, and other prisoners heard them yell "Breathe, Epstein, breathe." At 6:33{{nbsp}}a.m., the guards pulled an alarm, notifying their supervisor, to whom Noel said, "Epstein hung{{Sic}} himself." He was rushed to the New York Downtown Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 6:39{{nbsp}}a.m.{{Cite web|last1=Katersky|first1=Aaron|last2=Barr|first2=Luke|last3=Torres|first3=Ella|date=August 10, 2019|title=Jeffrey Epstein, accused sex trafficker, dies by suicide: Officials|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/jeffrey-epstein-accused-sex-trafficker-dies-suicide-officials/story?id=64881684|access-date=July 16, 2020|website=ABC News|archive-date=July 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711222758/https://abcnews.go.com/US/jeffrey-epstein-accused-sex-trafficker-dies-suicide-officials/story?id=64881684|url-status=live}} His body was transported to the medical examiner's office soon after.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jeffrey-epstein-death-investigation-alleged-victims-vow-to-keep-seeking-justice/ |title=As mystery surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's death deepens, alleged victims vow to keep seeking justice |date=August 12, 2019 |publisher=CBS News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703070848/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jeffrey-epstein-death-investigation-alleged-victims-vow-to-keep-seeking-justice/|archive-date=July 3, 2020}}

The removal of Epstein's body from his cell was a violation of protocol, as the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) mandates that a suicide scene be treated with the "same level of protection as any crime scene in which a death has occurred". Consequently, prison personnel also failed to photograph Epstein's body as it was found.{{cite news |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/01/5-takeaways-from-the-60-minutes-jeffrey-epstein-report.html|title=5 Takeaways From the 60 Minutes Jeffrey Epstein Report |last1=Raymond |first1=Adam K. |date=January 6, 2020 |work=New York |access-date=March 19, 2020 |location=New York City |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320003522/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/01/5-takeaways-from-the-60-minutes-jeffrey-epstein-report.html|archive-date=March 20, 2020}}

Epstein's death was the first death ruled a suicide at the MCC in 14 years. Michael Baden and 60 Minutes questioned whether Epstein, who was almost {{convert|6|ft|abbr=on}} tall and weighed {{convert|185|lb|kg}}, could have been able to hang himself from the lower bunk. Photos taken after the death also show bottles and medicine standing upright on the top bunk. Baden also questioned why Epstein did not use other materials available in his cell as a ligature, such as wires and tubing from a sleep apnea machine, which were stronger and longer.

A psychological reconstruction report of Epstein's death compiled by Bureau of Prisons five weeks after his death suggests that Epstein's identity "appeared to be based on his wealth, power and association with other high-profile individuals." The report further attributes his suicide to lack of significant interpersonal connections, loss of status, and the idea of potentially spending the rest of his life in prison.{{Cite news |last1=Weiser |first1=Benjamin |last2=Goldstein |first2=Matthew |last3=Ivory |first3=Danielle |last4=Eder |first4=Steve |date=November 23, 2021 |title=Epstein's Final Days: Celebrity Reminiscing and a Running Toilet |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/23/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-suicide-death.html |access-date=January 7, 2023 |archive-date=January 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107072921/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/23/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-suicide-death.html |url-status=live }}

New York City's Chief Medical Examiner Barbara Sampson conducted a four-hour autopsy on Epstein's body on August 11. Epstein's lawyers sent pathologist Michael Baden to observe the autopsy.{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epstein-camp-sends-pathologist-michael-baden-to-watch-over-his-autopsy |title=Jeffrey Epstein Camp Sent Pathologist Michael Baden to Watch Over His Autopsy |first1=Pervaiz |last1=Shallwani |first2=Audrey |last2=McNamara |first3=Harry |last3=Siegel |date=August 11, 2019 |work=The Daily Beast|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802014141/https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epstein-camp-sends-pathologist-michael-baden-to-watch-over-his-autopsy|archive-date=August 2, 2020}} Following the autopsy, the medical examiner's office reported that Epstein had hanged himself with a sheet from his bed.{{cite news |url=https://www.apnews.com/a947e0d85d31496eb5bd9ff4994c9718 |first1=Michael R. |last1=Sisak |first2=Michael |last2=Balsamo |first3=Larry |last3=Neumeister |title=Medical examiner rules Epstein death a suicide by hanging |date=August 17, 2019 |work=Associated Press News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822164001/https://apnews.com/a947e0d85d31496eb5bd9ff4994c9718|archive-date=August 22, 2020}} 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, these broken bones are "more common in victims of homicide by strangulation", according to forensic experts and studies. The last death ruled a suicide at the MCC was in 1998.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/12/jeffrey-epstein-death-suicide-prison|title=Jeffrey Epstein's death: what we know and don't know|last=Aratani|first=Lauren|date=August 13, 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=August 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813081529/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/12/jeffrey-epstein-death-suicide-prison|archive-date=August 13, 2019}} Epstein's lawyers released a joint statement after the medical examiner's report, expressing dissatisfaction with it, challenging its conclusions and saying a more complete response was forthcoming. They said that the defense team fully intended to continue its own investigation into the circumstances and cause of Epstein's death,{{Cite journal |last=Politi |first=Daniel |date=August 17, 2019 |title=Epstein Lawyers 'Not Satisfied' With Medical Examiner Ruling Death a Suicide by Hanging |journal=Slate |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/08/medical-examiner-epstein-suicide-lawyers-vow-investigation.html |access-date=March 22, 2021 |archive-date=August 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817161148/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/08/medical-examiner-epstein-suicide-lawyers-vow-investigation.html |url-status=live }} including taking legal action to view the camera footage near his cell during the night of his death.{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epsteins-lawyers-to-launch-own-investigation-into-his-death-2019-8 |title=Jeffrey Epstein's lawyers blast 'medieval conditions' at federal jail where he died by suicide and say they are launching their own investigation |last1=Frias |first1=Lauren |date=August 16, 2019 |work=Business Insider |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802013601/https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epsteins-lawyers-to-launch-own-investigation-into-his-death-2019-8|archive-date=August 2, 2020}} They later said that the evidence concerning Epstein's death was "far more consistent" with murder than suicide.{{cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/epstein-death-murder-suicide-victims-hearing-1456397 |title=Epstein Lawyers say evidence 'far more consistent' with murder than suicide |last1=Stockler |first1=Asher |date=August 27, 2019 |work=Newsweek |access-date=August 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802094947/https://www.newsweek.com/epstein-death-murder-suicide-victims-hearing-1456397|archive-date=August 2, 2020}}

File:Hyoid bone - animation.gif, among others, was broken. It is disputed whether this is more indicative of hanging or strangulation.]]

On August 16, Sampson announced that Epstein's death had been ruled a suicide via hanging.{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epstein-death-ruled-suicide-by-new-york-city-medical-examiner |title=Epstein's Death Was Suicide: Medical Examiner |first1=Pervaiz |last1=Shallwani |date=August 16, 2019 |work=The Daily Beast |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820173929/https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epstein-death-ruled-suicide-by-new-york-city-medical-examiner|archive-date=August 20, 2020}} Later, conflicting reports said the injuries Epstein sustained were as consistent, if not more so, with strangulation or homicide as with suicide.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/autopsy-finds-broken-bones-in-jeffrey-epsteins-neck-deepening-questions-around-his-death/2019/08/14/d09ac934-bdd9-11e9-b873-63ace636af08_story.html |title=Autopsy finds broken bones in Jeffrey Epstein's neck, deepening questions around his death |first1=Carol D. |last1=Leonnig |first2=Aaron C. |last2=Davis |newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801064925/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/autopsy-finds-broken-bones-in-jeffrey-epsteins-neck-deepening-questions-around-his-death/2019/08/14/d09ac934-bdd9-11e9-b873-63ace636af08_story.html|archive-date=August 1, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/16/jeffrey-epstein-cause-of-death-coroner-report |title=Medical examiner says Jeffrey Epstein's death was a suicide |date=August 16, 2019 |work=The Guardian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716093259/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/16/jeffrey-epstein-cause-of-death-coroner-report|archive-date=July 16, 2020}} Sampson's report found there was no foul play in his death.{{cite news |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/suicide-epstein-autopsy-finds-no-sign-of-foul-play/articleshow/70720626.cms |title='Suicide': Epstein autopsy finds no sign of foul play |access-date=August 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819030438/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/suicide-epstein-autopsy-finds-no-sign-of-foul-play/articleshow/70720626.cms |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://7news.com.au/news/crime/no-foul-play-in-epstein-death-says-me-c-404030 |title=No foul play in Epstein death: US coroner |date=August 16, 2019 |work=7NEWS.com.au |access-date=August 18, 2019 |archive-date=August 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818173921/https://7news.com.au/news/crime/no-foul-play-in-epstein-death-says-me-c-404030 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://10daily.com.au/news/a190816fviox/medical-examiner-rules-no-foul-play-in-epstein-death-20190817 |title=Jeffrey Epstein Death Ruled 'Suicide By Hanging' |date=August 17, 2019 |work=10 daily|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519003614/https://10daily.com.au/news/a190816fviox/medical-examiner-rules-no-foul-play-in-epstein-death-20190817|archive-date=May 19, 2020}} Three of Epstein's lawyers expressed their dissatisfaction with Sampson's conclusion, having hired forensic pathologist Michael Baden to observe the autopsy; they said they would initiate their own investigation and provide a more detailed statement in the future.{{cite news |url=http://abc6onyourside.com/news/nation-world/medical-examiner-rules-epsteins-death-a-suicide |title=Epstein lawyers dissatisfied with autopsy result |first1=Michael R. |last1=Sisak |first2=Michael |last2=Balsamo |first3=Larry |last3=Neumeister |agency=Associated Press |date=August 16, 2019 |publisher=WSYX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103074548/https://abc6onyourside.com/news/nation-world/medical-examiner-rules-epsteins-death-a-suicide|archive-date=November 3, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epsteins-lawyers-to-launch-own-investigation-into-his-death-2019-8 |title=Jeffrey Epstein's lawyers blast 'medieval conditions' at federal jail where he died by suicide and say they are launching their own investigation |first1=Lauren |last1=Frias |website=Business Insider |date=August 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208035221/https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epsteins-lawyers-to-launch-own-investigation-into-his-death-2019-8|archive-date=February 8, 2020}} Baden observed Sampson's autopsy when it was conducted; after the autopsy he said he could not comment because of 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, Baden claimed that Epstein's hyoid bone was broken in a way indicative of strangulation from behind.{{cite web |url=https://www.insider.com/epstein-used-his-jail-bedsheet-to-commit-suicide-by-hanging-2019-8 |title=Epstein died by suicide using his jail bed sheet while his guards slept, according to report |website=insider.com |access-date=November 12, 2019 |archive-date=November 9, 2019 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20191109204916/https://www.insider.com/epstein%2Dused%2Dhis%2Djail%2Dbedsheet%2Dto%2Dcommit%2Dsuicide%2Dby%2Dhanging%2D2019%2D8 |url-status=live}} Later that day, Sampson rejected Baden's claims, saying, "I stand firmly behind our determination of the cause and manner of death for Mr. Epstein. The cause is hanging, the manner is suicide."{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=October 30, 2019|title=Medical Examiner Dismisses Doubts About Epstein Autopsy|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2019-10-30/doctor-hired-by-family-epstein-injuries-seem-like-homicide|work=US News|access-date=July 11, 2020|archive-date=July 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712043219/https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2019-10-30/doctor-hired-by-family-epstein-injuries-seem-like-homicide|url-status=live}} Baden later said, "Going over a thousand jail hangings, suicides in the New York City state prisons over the past 40-50 years, no one had three fractures." Neurosurgeon and CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta asserted Epstein could have easily broken his hyoid bone in a hanging because of the bone's weakening and loss of flexibility with age. Gupta also suggested that multiple broken neck bones were more characteristic of hanging. Gerald Rodts, chief of spinal surgery at Emory University Hospital, also stated that multiple broken neck bones are consistent with hanging.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/16/media/epstein-washington-post-reliable-sources/index.html |title=The Washington Post fuels Epstein conspiracies, but experts say evidence still consistent with suicide |first1=Oliver |last1=Darcy |publisher=CNN |date=August 17, 2019 |access-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130155125/https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/16/media/epstein-washington-post-reliable-sources/index.html |url-status=live}} A professor of forensic science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice said the hyoid bone can indeed break from hanging, noting that it is a weak bone. According to their analysis, a broken hyoid bone is not sufficient proof of homicide.{{Cite web|last1=Levenson|first1=Eric|last2=Vitagliano|first2=Brian|date=October 30, 2019|title=NYC medical examiner rejects claim that Jeffrey Epstein's death was a homicide|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/30/us/jeffrey-epstein-autopsy-fox/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=March 2, 2021|publisher=CNN|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212012912/https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/30/us/jeffrey-epstein-autopsy-fox/index.html}}

File:Epstein neck split.jpg

According to Baden, the neck wound was in the center of Epstein's neck, not under his mandibles as in a typical hanging. Baden said this is more common when a victim is strangled by a wire or cord. Baden also said that the wound was much thinner than the strip of bedsheet, and although there was blood on Epstein's neck, it was absent on the bed-sheet ligature. In response to Baden's claims, Sampson stood by the conclusion that Epstein's death was suicide.

In June 2023, the Justice Department Inspector General confirmed that Epstein indeed died by suicide. The investigators interviewed dozens of witnesses and combed through 100,000 documents, and did not find anything contradicting the FBI's investigation, which also found the death a suicide.{{Cite news |last1=Thrush |first1=Glenn |last2=Weiser |first2=Benjamin |date=June 27, 2023 |title=Report on Epstein's Death Finds Errors and Mismanagement at Manhattan Jail |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/27/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-death-report.html |access-date=June 27, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Explain|reason=Details about the report would be helpful for readers wishing to independently evaluate it.|date=June 2023}}

Following the autopsy, Epstein's body was claimed by an "unidentified associate", later revealed to be his brother, Mark.{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/jeffrey-epstein-s-body-claimed-unidentified-associate-n1042551 |title=Jeffrey Epstein's body claimed by unidentified 'associate' |date=August 14, 2019 |publisher=NBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611160458/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/jeffrey-epstein-s-body-claimed-unidentified-associate-n1042551|archive-date=June 11, 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epsteins-body-claimed-by-brother-mark-epstein |title=Jeffrey Epstein's Body Claimed by His Brother |date=August 16, 2019 |work=The Daily Beast |last1=Shallwani |first1=Pervaiz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121153100/https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epsteins-body-claimed-by-brother-mark-epstein|archive-date=November 21, 2019}} On September 5, the body was buried in an unmarked tomb next to those of his parents at the IJ Morris Star of David mausoleum in Palm Beach, Florida. His parents' names were removed from their tombstone to prevent vandalism.{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Jeffrey-Epstein-buried-in-unmarked-grave-with-family-names-removed-600753 |title=Jeffery Epstein buried in unmarked grave with family names removed |date=September 5, 2019 |work=The Jerusalem Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629214755/https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Jeffery-Epstein-buried-in-unmarked-grave-with-family-names-removed-600753|archive-date=June 29, 2020}}

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A few hours after Epstein's death was announced, President Donald Trump responded by retweeting a post related to the "Clinton body count", a conspiracy theory purporting to link Epstein's death to the former president, Bill Clinton, and the former secretary of state, Hillary Clinton.{{cite news |work=The Hill|first1=Rachel |last1=Frazin |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/456979-trump-retweets-post-promoting-conspiracy-theory-about-jeffrey |title=Trump retweets post promoting conspiracy theory about Jeffrey Epstein's death |access-date=August 13, 2019 |date=August 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611161230/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/456979-trump-retweets-post-promoting-conspiracy-theory-about-jeffrey|archive-date=June 11, 2020}} At a speech in Pennsylvania three days later, Trump told reporters he wanted "a full investigation".{{cite news |work=The Hill|first1=Rachel |last1=Frazin |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/08/13/donald-trump-defends-jeffrey-epstein-bill-clinton-conspiracy-retweet/1996632001/ |title=Donald Trump defends his Jeffrey Epstein, Bill Clinton conspiracy retweet |access-date=April 8, 2020 |date=August 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802033718/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/08/13/donald-trump-defends-jeffrey-epstein-bill-clinton-conspiracy-retweet/1996632001/|archive-date=August 2, 2020}} Attorney General William Barr said he was "appalled" by Epstein's death 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.{{cite news |work=The Hill |first1=Jesse |last1=Byrnes |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/456959-attorney-general-barr-appalled-by-epstein-death-in-federal-custody |title=Attorney General Barr 'appalled' by Epstein death in federal custody |access-date=August 13, 2019 |date=August 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611162511/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/456959-attorney-general-barr-appalled-by-epstein-death-in-federal-custody|archive-date=June 11, 2020}} Senator Ben Sasse, chairman of the United States Senate Judiciary oversight subcommittee, later wrote Barr a letter 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."{{cite news |work=The Hill |first1=Rachel |last1=Frazin |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/456963-sasse-tells-ag-that-heads-must-roll-over-epstein-treatment-in-federal-custody |title=Sasse tells AG that 'heads must roll' over Epstein treatment in federal custody |access-date=August 13, 2019 |date=August 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128231243/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/456963-sasse-tells-ag-that-heads-must-roll-over-epstein-treatment-in-federal-custody|archive-date=November 28, 2019}} Representative Matt Gaetz, who sits on the United States House Judiciary Committee, called on chairman Jerry Nadler to prioritize investigating the circumstances around Epstein's death over other probes the committee was carrying out.{{cite news |work=The Hill |first1=Tal |last1=Axelrod |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/456949-ocasio-cortez-calls-for-answers-after-epstein-found-dead-in-jail-cell |title=Ocasio-Cortez demands 'answers' after Epstein found dead in jail cell |access-date=August 13, 2019 |date=August 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128193205/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/456949-ocasio-cortez-calls-for-answers-after-epstein-found-dead-in-jail-cell|archive-date=November 28, 2019}} Representative Lois Frankel called for a congressional investigation into Epstein's 2008 plea deal.{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/456954-democrat-calls-for-congressional-investigation-into-epstein-death |title=Democrat calls for congressional investigation after Epstein death |last1=Campisi |first1=Jessica |date=August 10, 2019 |work=The Hill |access-date=August 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209112509/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/456954-democrat-calls-for-congressional-investigation-into-epstein-death|archive-date=December 9, 2019}} Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Rick Scott called for an investigation and expressed their dissatisfaction that Epstein's victims would not find closure in a trial.{{cite news |work=The Hill |first1=Zack |last1=Budryk |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/457019-gillibrand-calls-for-full-investigation-into-epsteins-death |title=Gillibrand calls for 'full investigation' into Epstein's death |access-date=August 13, 2019 |date=August 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103074533/https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/457019-gillibrand-calls-for-full-investigation-into-epsteins-death|archive-date=November 3, 2019}}{{cite news |work=The Hill |first1=Tal |last1=Axelrod |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/456956-gop-senator-inexcusable-that-epstein-not-under-constant-suicide-watch |title=GOP senator: 'Inexcusable' that Epstein not under constant suicide watch |access-date=August 13, 2019 |date=August 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607073811/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/456956-gop-senator-inexcusable-that-epstein-not-under-constant-suicide-watch|archive-date=June 7, 2020}}

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| quote = 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. I want to know why he was left in a circumstance where suicide was even possible.

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On August 11, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, then campaigning for president in Iowa, said, "I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but something's way too convenient here, and we need to get down to the bottom of what happened."{{cite news|last=Norvelle|first=Kim|date=August 11, 2019|title=After Soapbox speech in Iowa, Bill de Blasio calls for 'full investigation' of Epstein death|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2019/08/11/bill-de-blasio-election-2020-iowa-state-fair-soapbox-caucus-jeffrey-epstein-suicide-corn-dog/1881693001/|work=Des Moines Register|access-date=October 17, 2020}} The next day, the leaders of the House Judiciary Committee, Chairman Jerry Nadler and ranking member Doug Collins, sent the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) 23 questions 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."{{cite news |first1=Zack |last1=Budryk |work=The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/457174-judiciary-committee-leaders-demand-answers-from-bureau-of-prisons-on-epstein |title=House Judiciary leaders demand answers from Bureau of Prisons on Epstein death |access-date=August 13, 2019 |date=August 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130174117/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/457174-judiciary-committee-leaders-demand-answers-from-bureau-of-prisons-on-epstein|archive-date=November 30, 2019}} 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."{{cite news |work=The Hill |first1=Justin |last1=Wise |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/457288-sasse-calls-on-justice-dept-to-rip-up-epstein-non-prosecution-deal-to |title=Sasse calls on DOJ to 'rip up' Epstein nonprosecution deal to bring 'co-conspirators to justice' |access-date=August 13, 2019 |date=August 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611142220/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/457288-sasse-calls-on-justice-dept-to-rip-up-epstein-non-prosecution-deal-to|archive-date=June 11, 2020}} On August 19, Barr replaced the BOP director with former director Kathleen Hawk Sawyer.{{cite news|last=Sccoiated Press|date=August 19, 2020|title=U.S. prisons chief removed after Epstein's death|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/19/prisons-chief-removed-jeffrey-epstein-death-1468530|work=Politico|access-date=September 1, 2020|archive-date=August 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825073250/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/19/prisons-chief-removed-jeffrey-epstein-death-1468530|url-status=live}} Sasse praised the move.{{cite news|last=Pramuk|first=Jacob|date=August 19, 2019|title=Attorney General Barr orders removal of acting US prisons director after Epstein's death|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/19/william-barr-orders-removal-of-prisons-director-after-jeffrey-epstein-death.html|publisher=CNBC|access-date=September 1, 2020|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807133615/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/19/william-barr-orders-removal-of-prisons-director-after-jeffrey-epstein-death.html|url-status=live}}

"For them to pull him off suicide watch is shocking", Cameron Lindsay, a former warden 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."{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/prison-experts-are-stunned-angry-jeffrey-epstein-was-taken-suicide-n1041121 |title=Prison experts are stunned and angry that Jeffrey Epstein was taken off suicide watch |date=August 10, 2019 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=August 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727075621/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/prison-experts-are-stunned-angry-jeffrey-epstein-was-taken-suicide-n1041121|archive-date=July 27, 2020}} Federal prosecutors in the case called Epstein's death "disturbing" and emphasized 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."{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/sdny-us-attorneys-office-confirms-epstein-investigation-remains-ongoing-conspiracy-2019-8 |title=Federal prosecutors confirm that the Epstein sex-trafficking investigation will continue despite his death |last1=Tenbarge |first1=Kat |date=August 10, 2019 |work=Business Insider |access-date=August 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802012500/https://www.businessinsider.com/sdny-us-attorneys-office-confirms-epstein-investigation-remains-ongoing-conspiracy-2019-8|archive-date=August 2, 2020}}

{{Commons category|Epstein Files Phase 1|Epstein Files: First Phase}}

File:William Barr delivers remarks at the Correctional Workers Week Memorial Service.jpg later described Epstein's death as "a perfect storm of screw-ups".]]

The BOP launched an investigation into the circumstances of Epstein's death,{{cite news |date=August 10, 2019 |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/456957-fbi-investigating-epstein-death-in-manhattan-jail |title=FBI investigating Epstein death in Manhattan jail |work= The Hill |access-date=August 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212073024/https://thehill.com/homenews/news/456957-fbi-investigating-epstein-death-in-manhattan-jail|archive-date=December 12, 2019}} with Attorney General Barr saying that Justice Department officials would thoroughly investigate "serious irregularities" at the Metropolitan Correctional Center.{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/457095-barr-promises-thorough-investigation-of-epstein-death-warns |title=Barr criticizes prison's 'serious irregularities' after Epstein death |work=The Hill |access-date=August 13, 2019 |date=August 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720030847/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/457095-barr-promises-thorough-investigation-of-epstein-death-warns|archive-date=July 20, 2020}} As Barr received more information surrounding Epstein's death, however, he came to believe it was only "a perfect storm of screw-ups".{{cite news|last=Benner|first=Katie|date=November 22, 2019|title=Barr Says Epstein's Suicide Resulted From 'Perfect Storm of Screw-Ups'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/nyregion/william-barr-jeffrey-epstein-suicide-investigation.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=August 26, 2020|archive-date=August 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814050130/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/nyregion/william-barr-jeffrey-epstein-suicide-investigation.html|url-status=live}}

In November 2019, BOP director Sawyer told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the FBI was investigating whether a "criminal enterprise" was involved in Epstein's death. She added 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 had asked her about, and that "she was referring to looking into possible criminal conduct by staff".{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/19/jeffrey-epstein-death-in-jail-under-fbi-investigation.html |title=FBI probing if Jeffrey Epstein's death was the result of a 'criminal enterprise,' prisons chief says |last1=Mangan |first1=Dan |date=November 19, 2019 |publisher=CNBC |access-date=November 20, 2019 |archive-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119233755/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/19/jeffrey-epstein-death-in-jail-under-fbi-investigation.html |url-status=live}}

On August 13, Attorney General Barr ordered the BOP to reassign the warden of the MCC, Lamine N'Diaye, temporarily, while the FBI and Justice Department inspector general investigated the circumstances surrounding Epstein's death. James Petrucci, the warden of FCI Otisville, was named acting warden.{{cite news |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/08/13/jeffrey-epstein-warden-shirley-skipper-scott-reassigned-after-suicide/1999993001/ |title=New York warden reassigned after Jeffrey Epstein's death; two staffers placed on leave |first1=Kevin |last1=Johnson |work=USA Today |date=August 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809045304/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/08/13/jeffrey-epstein-warden-shirley-skipper-scott-reassigned-after-suicide/1999993001/|archive-date=August 9, 2020}} Two staff members assigned to Epstein's unit were placed on administrative leave.{{cite news |work=The Hill |first1=Morgan |last1=Chalfant |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/457281-doj-reassigns-warden-after-epstein-apparent-suicide |title=DOJ reassigns warden after Epstein's apparent suicide |access-date=August 13, 2019 |date=August 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530152455/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/457281-doj-reassigns-warden-after-epstein-apparent-suicide|archive-date=May 30, 2020}} On August 14, Manhattan federal court judge Richard Berman, who was overseeing Epstein's criminal case, wrote to N'Diaye asking whether an investigation into Epstein's death would include a probe into his prior (July 23) injuries. Judge Berman wrote that to his knowledge it had never been definitely explained what they concluded about the incident.{{cite news|date=August 14, 2019|title=The Latest: Judge asks for details about Epstein jail injury|url=https://apnews.com/article/09340cbf847348cca735b1cff5ce890d|work=Associated Press News|access-date=October 18, 2020|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020010750/https://apnews.com/article/09340cbf847348cca735b1cff5ce890d|url-status=live}} In November 2019, Berman called for widespread prison reforms in an open letter to Barr in The New York Times.{{cite news |last=Mangan|first=Dan|date=November 26, 2019|title=Judge in Jeffrey Epstein case says jail death was 'unthinkable' calls for prison reform|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/26/judge-in-jeffrey-epstein-case-calls-for-prison-reforms-after-death.html|publisher= CNBC |access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821122928/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/26/judge-in-jeffrey-epstein-case-calls-for-prison-reforms-after-death.html|archive-date=August 21, 2020}}

The United States Department of Justice's Inspector General's investigation report released on June 27, 2023, castigated jail officials for repeated "negligence, misconduct, and outright job performance failures" in connection with Epstein's incarceration and death. It also strongly pushed back on any suggestion that what happened was anything other than a suicide.{{cite news |last1=Berman |first1=Mark |title=Inspector general says Jeffrey Epstein's death enabled by jailers' negligence |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/06/27/inspector-general-report-jeffrey-epstein-death/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=28 June 2023}}

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Two French government ministers, Marlène Schiappa and Adrien Taquet, 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 News. "It thus seems to us fundamental for the victims that an investigation be opened in France so that all is brought to light", a spokesperson for the office told ABC. "The elements received at the Paris prosecutor's office are being analyzed and cross-referenced."{{cite news |work=The Hill |first1=Zack |last1=Budryk |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/europe/457221-french-officials-call-for-investigation-of-epstein-links-with |title=French officials call for investigation of Epstein 'links with France' |access-date=August 13, 2019 |date=August 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417081258/https://thehill.com/policy/international/europe/457221-french-officials-call-for-investigation-of-epstein-links-with|archive-date=April 17, 2020}} In August, the French launched an investigation into alleged Epstein associate Jean-Luc Brunel, who was reported to be hiding in South America. He was arrested on December 16, 2020.{{Cite web|last1=Ing|first1=Nancy|last2=van Hagen|first2=Isobel|date=December 19, 2020|title=French modeling agent charged with rape of a minor in Jeffrey Epstein probe|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/modeling-agent-jean-luc-brunel-charged-rape-minor-jeffrey-epstein-n1251804|url-status=live|access-date=March 2, 2021|publisher=NBC News|archive-date=February 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228102414/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/modeling-agent-jean-luc-brunel-charged-rape-minor-jeffrey-epstein-n1251804}}

Judge Richard Berman dismissed all charges against Epstein on August 29.{{cite news |url= https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/29/us/jeffrey-epstein-criminal-case-dismissed/index.html |title=The criminal case against Jeffrey Epstein has been officially dismissed |last1=Adone |first1=Dakin |date=August 29, 2019 |publisher=CNN|access-date=March 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724063208/https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/29/us/jeffrey-epstein-criminal-case-dismissed/index.html|archive-date=July 24, 2020}} As a result, the sex-trafficking investigations and media attention shifted attention to his alleged associates, like Brunel, Prince Andrew, and Ghislaine Maxwell.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/epsteins-death-leaves-unanswered-questions-for-investigators-11565541496 |title=Epstein's Death Sparks Probe, Shifts Spotlight to Associates |last1=O'Brien |first1=Rebecca Davis |last2=Hong |first2=Nicole |last3=Chapman |first3=Ben |last4=Gurman |first4=Sadie |date=August 11, 2019 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=January 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804095705/https://www.wsj.com/articles/epsteins-death-leaves-unanswered-questions-for-investigators-11565541496|archive-date=August 4, 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/22/jeffrey-epstein-scandal-prince-andrew-kicked-out-of-buckingham-palace.html |title=Jeffrey Epstein scandal: Prince Andrew booted from Buckingham Palace, report says |last1=Mangan |first1=Dan |date=November 22, 2019 |publisher=CNBC |access-date=January 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609123336/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/22/jeffrey-epstein-scandal-prince-andrew-kicked-out-of-buckingham-palace.html|archive-date=June 9, 2020}}

On November 19, 2019, federal prosecutors in New York indicted MCC guards Michael Thomas and Tova Noel, charging them with multiple counts of falsifying records and conspiracy to falsify records.{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/11/19/780794931/prosecutors-charge-correctional-officers-who-guarded-jeffrey-epstein-before-his- |title=Jeffrey Epstein's Prison Guards Are Indicted On Federal Charges |last1=Allyn |first1=Bobby |publisher=NPR |series= All Things Considered |date=November 19, 2019 |access-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710221636/https://www.npr.org/2019/11/19/780794931/prosecutors-charge-correctional-officers-who-guarded-jeffrey-epstein-before-his-|archive-date=July 10, 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50480172 |title=Epstein guards charged with falsifying records |date=November 19, 2019 |publisher=BBC |access-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617124429/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50480172|archive-date=June 17, 2020}} The charges were based on video footage obtained by prosecutors, showing that the guards did not check on Epstein for eight hours. Instead, they 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 they had performed the required checks. Their bail was set at $100,000.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/19/nyregion/epstein-prison-guards-arrested.html |title=Guards Accused of Napping and Shopping Online the Night Epstein Died |first1=Michael |last1=Gold |first2=Danielle |last2=Ivory |first3=Nicole |last3=Hong |date=November 19, 2019 |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710055637/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/19/nyregion/epstein-prison-guards-arrested.html|archive-date=July 10, 2020}} They claimed they were "scapegoats" for larger issues within the federal prison system.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-guards-tova-noel-michael-thomas.html |title=Epstein Suicide: Guards Say They're Scapegoats for a Broken System |first1=Benjamin |last1=Weiser |date=November 25, 2019 |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222065747/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-guards-tova-noel-michael-thomas.html|archive-date=December 22, 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/20/us/jeffrey-epstein-prison-guard-system/index.html |title=Attorneys for Jeffrey Epstein's prison guards point the blame at the system |first1=Eric |last1=Levenson |first2=Mark |last2=Morales | first3=David |last3=Shortell |date=November 20, 2019 |publisher=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702210303/https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/20/us/jeffrey-epstein-prison-guard-system/index.html|archive-date=July 2, 2020}} In May 2021, a judge approved a deferred prosecution deal, through which the guards can avoid a conviction and sentence if they comply with specific terms.{{cite news|last1=Mangan|first1=Dan|last2=Brueninger|first2=Kevin|date=May 25, 2021|title=Judge approves deferred prosecution deal for two jail guards in Jeffrey Epstein death case|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/25/judge-approves-deferred-prosecution-deal-for-epstein-jail-guards.html|publisher=CNBC|access-date=October 19, 2021|archive-date=October 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014010737/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/25/judge-approves-deferred-prosecution-deal-for-epstein-jail-guards.html|url-status=live}}

In a December 2019 court proceeding against Epstein's cellmate Nick Tartaglione, federal prosecutors reported that the surveillance footage from outside Epstein's cell during the July 23 incident had disappeared. Tartaglione's defense, who claimed that the footage showed Tartaglione saving Epstein's life, hoped that it would illustrate Tartaglione's character. His lawyer had requested that the footage be kept on July 25, two days after the incident.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/18/jeffrey-epsteins-first-suicide-attempt-video-is-missing.html |title=Jail video surveillance from Jeffrey Epstein's first suicide attempt in July is missing, prosecutor says, according to reports|last1=Mangan |first1=Dan |date=December 18, 2019 |website=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621154131/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/18/jeffrey-epsteins-first-suicide-attempt-video-is-missing.html|archive-date=June 21, 2020}} Judge Kenneth Karas requested that the government determine what had happened to the footage.{{cite web |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/surveillance-footage-outside-jeffrey-epsteins-cell-during-suicide-attempt-is-missing/ |title=Surveillance footage outside Jeffrey Epstein's cell during suicide attempt is missing |last1=Brown |first1=Stephen Rex |date=December 18, 2019 |website=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608162826/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/surveillance-footage-outside-jeffrey-epsteins-cell-during-suicide-attempt-is-missing/|archive-date=June 8, 2020}} Several days later, federal prosecutors reversed their statement, claiming they had found the missing footage. But in January 2020, they admitted the footage had been permanently deleted because of a "clerical error".{{cite web |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/epsteins-suicide-attempt-video-preserved-prosecutors |title=Lost Jeffrey Epstein suicide attempt video is found: Prosecutors |last1=Pagones |first1=Stephanie |date=December 20, 2019 |website=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707153017/https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/epsteins-suicide-attempt-video-preserved-prosecutors|archive-date=July 7, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/surveillance-video-jeffrey-epstein-s-first-apparent-suicide-attempt-no-n1113166?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_ma |title=Surveillance video from Jeffrey Epstein's first apparent suicide attempt 'no longer exists' |last1=Winter |first1=Tom |date=January 9, 2020 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516151107/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/surveillance-video-jeffrey-epstein-s-first-apparent-suicide-attempt-no-n1113166?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_ma|archive-date=May 16, 2020}}{{Improper synthesis|date=March 2025|reason=The first and second sources are for different statements that are linked together, but the second does not explicitly mention how they are connected.}}

On July 2, 2020, almost a year after Epstein was arrested, the FBI arrested and charged Maxwell in Bradford, New Hampshire. The charges included "enticement and conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, transportation and conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and two counts of perjury".{{Cite web|title=Ghislaine Maxwell, Accused of Providing Girls for Jeffrey Epstein, Arrested in N.H.|url=https://www.nhpr.org/post/ghislaine-maxwell-accused-providing-girls-jeffrey-epstein-arrested-nh/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702134259/https://www.nhpr.org/post/ghislaine-maxwell-accused-providing-girls-jeffrey-epstein-arrested-nh/|archive-date=July 2, 2020|access-date=July 2, 2020|website=New Hampshire Public Radio|date=July 2, 2020 }}{{cite news |last1=Scannell |first1=Kara |last2=Orden |first2=Erica|date=July 2, 2020|title=Ghislaine Maxwell, longtime Jeffrey Epstein associate, arrested for recruiting and abusing girls in sex-trafficking ring|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/02/us/ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein/index.html|publisher=CNN |location=Atlanta|access-date=July 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703221143/https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/02/us/ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein/index.html|archive-date=July 3, 2020}} Federal authorities have expressed concerns she might also attempt suicide in custody and have reportedly implemented additional safety protocols.{{cite news |last=Balsamo|first=Michael|date=July 9, 2020|title=Official: Feds feared Epstein confidant might kill herself|url=https://apnews.com/80e1d24b3111582256de4fb788fc4fc2|work=Associated Press News|access-date=July 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709181546/https://apnews.com/80e1d24b3111582256de4fb788fc4fc2|archive-date=July 9, 2020}} In an August 2020 interview, President Trump said that he "wish[ed] her well", and again questioned whether Epstein's death was a suicide or homicide.{{cite news|last=Zapotosky|first=Matt|date=August 4, 2020|title=Trump questions whether Jeffrey Epstein was killed in federal custody. His attorney general and the medical examiner say it was suicide.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-questions-whether-jeffrey-epstein-was-killed-in-federal-custody-his-attorney-general-and-the-medical-examiner-say-it-was-suicide/2020/08/04/7fcc6134-d665-11ea-aff6-220dd3a14741_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819202523/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-questions-whether-jeffrey-epstein-was-killed-in-federal-custody-his-attorney-general-and-the-medical-examiner-say-it-was-suicide/2020/08/04/7fcc6134-d665-11ea-aff6-220dd3a14741_story.html|archive-date=August 19, 2020}}

In 2020, associate Jean-Luc Brunel was arrested and charged with the rape of minors by French prosecutors.{{Cite news|last1=Ing|first1=Nancy|last2=van Hagen|first2=Isobel|date=December 19, 2020|title=French modeling agent charged with rape of a minor in Jeffrey Epstein probe|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/modeling-agent-jean-luc-brunel-charged-rape-minor-jeffrey-epstein-n1251804|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228102414/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/modeling-agent-jean-luc-brunel-charged-rape-minor-jeffrey-epstein-n1251804|archive-date=February 28, 2021|access-date=December 23, 2020|work=NBC News}} He later died from an apparent suicide before his trial could proceed.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60443518|title=Jean-Luc Brunel: Epstein associate found dead in Paris prison cell|work=BBC News|date=February 20, 2022|access-date=February 25, 2022|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225173937/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60443518|url-status=live}}

Because of violations of standard prison procedures and Epstein's knowledge of compromising information about famous individuals, his death spawned skepticism and multiple conspiracy theories.{{cite news |url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qvgpm3/epstein-truthers-are-obsessed-with-a-sci-fi-book-about-child-sex-slavery-written-by-bill-barrs-dad/ |title=Epstein Truthers Are Obsessed With a Sci-Fi Book About Child Sex Slavery Written by Bill Barr's Dad|date=August 16, 2019 |work=Vice|access-date=February 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705021613/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qvgpm3/epstein-truthers-are-obsessed-with-a-sci-fi-book-about-child-sex-slavery-written-by-bill-barrs-dad/|archive-date=July 5, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Allyn |first1=Bobby |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/11/19/780794931/prosecutors-charge-correctional-officers-who-guarded-jeffrey-epstein-before-his- |title=Jeffrey Epstein's Prison Guards Are Indicted On Federal Charges |publisher=NPR |date=November 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701152037/https://www.npr.org/2019/11/19/780794931/prosecutors-charge-correctional-officers-who-guarded-jeffrey-epstein-before-his-|archive-date=July 1, 2020}} A Rasmussen Reports poll conducted shortly after his death in August 2019 found that only 29% of U.S. adults believed Epstein actually died by suicide, while 42% thought he was murdered to prevent him from testifying against powerful people with whom he associated, and 29% of people were undecided.{{cite web |url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/august_2019/americans_say_murder_more_likely_than_suicide_in_epstein_case |title=Americans Say Murder More Likely Than Suicide in Epstein Case |date=August 14, 2019 |website=Rasmussen Reports |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519051748/https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/august_2019/americans_say_murder_more_likely_than_suicide_in_epstein_case|archive-date=May 19, 2020}} By November 2019, a Business Insider poll found that those who believed Epstein was murdered outnumbered suicide proponents three to one.{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epstein-kill-himself-poll-2019-11 |title=Almost half of Americans now believe the conspiracy theory that sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was murdered |first1=Jacob |last1=Shamsian |work=Business Insider |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609021458/https://www.businessinsider.de/international/jeffrey-epstein-kill-himself-poll-2019-11/?r=US&IR=T|archive-date=June 9, 2020}} In a 2020 poll, Rasmussen found a majority of Americans believed Epstein was murdered, with just 21% believing that he died by suicide.{{cite web |url=https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/people/january_2020/most_now_think_jeffrey_epstein_was_murdered |title=Most Now Think Jeffrey Epstein Was Murdered |date=January 9, 2020 |website=Rasmussen Reports |access-date=February 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519050229/https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/people/january_2020/most_now_think_jeffrey_epstein_was_murdered|archive-date=May 19, 2020}} University of Chicago professor Eric Oliver, a conspiracy theory expert, labeled populist sentiment and a mistrust of the political system as major contributors to the widespread rejection of the official narrative.{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/5737975/jeffrey-epstein-death-conspiracy-theories/ |title=Feds Denounce Jeffrey Epstein Death Conspiracy Theories|date=November 23, 2019 |magazine=Time |access-date=December 13, 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191124130650/https://time.com/5737975/jeffrey-epstein-death-conspiracy-theories/|archive-date=November 24, 2019}}

Because of Epstein's connections to many wealthy and powerful people, there was speculation that one or more co-conspirators or participants in his sex crimes might have arranged for him to be silenced.

At an August 27 hearing, Epstein defense attorney Reid Weingarten expressed "significant doubts" that Epstein's 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".{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/27/jeffrey-epsteins-lawyers-skeptical-of-suicide-ruling.html |title=Jeffrey Epstein's lawyers highly 'skeptical' of suicide ruling, say he wasn't 'despairing, despondent' before death |first1=Dan |last1=Mangan |first2=Kevin |last2=Breuninger |date=August 27, 2019 |publisher=CNBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607175131/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/27/jeffrey-epsteins-lawyers-skeptical-of-suicide-ruling.html|archive-date=June 7, 2020}} 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."{{cite web |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article237242984.html |title=Jeffrey Epstein wasn't trafficking women – and he didn't kill himself, brother says |first1=Julie |last1=Brown |date=November 14, 2019 |website=Miami Herald |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612205952/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article237242984.html|archive-date=June 12, 2020}} He also claimed his "life may also be in danger", if Epstein was indeed murdered.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/jeffrey-epstein-brother-fears-life-danger |title=Jeffrey Epstein's brother fears his life 'may also be in danger' |last1=Pagones |first1=Stephanie |date=December 23, 2019 |website=FOX Business |access-date=January 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218152928/https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/jeffrey-epstein-brother-fears-life-danger|archive-date=February 18, 2020}} In a press conference about two months after Epstein's death, de Blasio declined to endorse chief medical examiner Sampson's conclusions, saying, "Something doesn't fit here. It just doesn't make sense that the highest-profile prisoner in America—you know, someone forgot to guard him."{{cite news|last=Durkin|first=Erin|date=October 31, 2020|title=De Blasio: 'Something doesn't fit' about Jeffrey Epstein's death|url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2019/10/31/de-blasio-something-doesnt-fit-about-jeffrey-epsteins-death-1226158|work=Politico|access-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804111302/https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2019/10/31/de-blasio-something-doesnt-fit-about-jeffrey-epsteins-death-1226158|archive-date=August 4, 2020}} Former US Attorney and Senate Judiciary Committee counsel Brett Tolman said the death was "more than coincidental", considering Epstein's "many connections to powerful people".{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2019/11/20/ex-us-attorney-calls-epstein-suicide-more-than-coincidental/ |title=Ex-US attorney calls Epstein suicide 'more than coincidental' |first1=Bruce |last1=Golding |date=November 20, 2019|website=New York Post|access-date=July 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112032201/https://nypost.com/2019/11/20/ex-us-attorney-calls-epstein-suicide-more-than-coincidental/|archive-date=January 12, 2020}}

Immediately after his death, online conspiracy theorists falsely claimed that the images of Epstein in transport to the hospital were actually that of a body double. They relied on purported differences between the body's ear and Epstein's ear in a juxtaposed photo. Fact-checker Snopes pointed out that the image of Epstein was 15 years old and that it was "more plausible that these discrepancies were the result of aging".{{cite news|last=Evon|first=Dan|date=August 13, 2019|title=Conspiracy: Jeffrey Epstein 'Body Double' Photos Explained|url=https://www.snopes.com/news/2019/08/13/jeffrey-epstein-body-doubles/|work=Snopes|access-date=October 25, 2020|archive-date=August 15, 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190815123558/https://www.snopes.com/news/2019/08/13/jeffrey-epstein-body-doubles/|url-status=live}} In October 2020, over a year after his death, similar false theories emerged that claimed that Epstein was living at Zorro Ranch, his residence in New Mexico.{{cite news|last=Dunn|first=Adrienne|date=October 23, 2020|title=Fact check: Claim that Jeffrey Epstein is hiding at a ranch near Santa Fe is false|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/10/23/fact-check-jeffrey-epstein-dead-he-not-hiding-new-mexico/3644301001/|work=USA Today|access-date=October 25, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025103444/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/10/23/fact-check-jeffrey-epstein-dead-he-not-hiding-new-mexico/3644301001/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=O'Rourke|first=Ciara|date=October 13, 2020|title=Jeffrey Epstein found living in New Mexico!|url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/oct/13/facebook-posts/no-epstein-isnt-hiding-out-new-mexico/|work=PolitiFact|access-date=October 25, 2020|archive-date=October 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018205010/https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/oct/13/facebook-posts/no-epstein-isnt-hiding-out-new-mexico/|url-status=live}}

{{further|Epstein didn't kill himself}}

{{multiple image

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|image1=Epstein Bridge Nov2019 2 (cropped).jpg

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|alt1=Graffito on a bridge over a highway

|image2=Epstein Didn't Kill Himself Sticker.png

|width2=792

|height2=880

|alt2=A simple white sticker reading, "Epstein Didn't Kill Himself."

|footer= The meme appeared in a variety of forms and places, such as this graffito on an Ohio interstate overpass or this sticker at a bus stop in Canada.

}}

As more information surrounding Epstein's death became public in November 2019, his death and the possibility of murder became a popular 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 by a University of Alabama student on MSNBC.{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-jeffrey-epstein-conspiracy-theories-20191123-5smcuhoeajdcrikft2fpgy7cxm-story.html |title='Epstein didn't kill himself': The feds are adamant he died by suicide. The internet isn't buying it. |first1=Michael |last1=Sisak |date=November 23, 2019 |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-date=December 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203192556/https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-jeffrey-epstein-conspiracy-theories-20191123-5smcuhoeajdcrikft2fpgy7cxm-story.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newsweek.com/university-alabama-student-jeffrey-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-1471184 |title=Alabama Student Tells MSNBC Reporter 'Jeffrey Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' |first1=Jenni |last1=Fink |date=November 12, 2019 |website=Newsweek |access-date=November 13, 2019 |archive-date=November 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113015841/https://www.newsweek.com/university-alabama-student-jeffrey-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-1471184 |url-status=live}} The meme often appears as a non-sequitur after a body of text or within an image.{{cite news |title=Understanding the 'Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' meme |last1=Poisson |first1=Jayme |last2=Merlan |first2=Anna |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/understanding-the-jeffrey-epstein-didn-t-kill-himself-meme-1.5365778 |publisher=CBC News |series=Front Burner |access-date=December 1, 2019 |date=November 20, 2019 |format=Audio |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193149/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/understanding-the-jeffrey-epstein-didn-t-kill-himself-meme-1.5365778 |url-status=live}} NPR's Scott Simon likened the bait-and-switch aspect of the meme to Rickrolling. Simon also worried that media attention to the meme could spread misinformation.{{cite news |title=Epstein's Death Becomes A Meme |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/11/16/780067957/epsteins-death-becomes-a-meme |access-date=December 27, 2019 |publisher=NPR|date=November 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801235955/https://www.npr.org/2019/11/16/780067957/epsteins-death-becomes-a-meme|archive-date=August 1, 2020}} The Associated Press noted, "[t]he phrase 'Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' has taken on a life of its own—sometimes more as a pop culture catchphrase than an actual belief".{{cite news |last=Sisak|first=Michael R.|title='Epstein didn't kill himself': Feds fail to snuff out conspiracy theories |url=https://www.courant.com/nation-world/ct-nw-jeffrey-epstein-conspiracy-theories-20191123-5smcuhoeajdcrikft2fpgy7cxm-story.html|access-date=December 1, 2019|work=Hartford Courant|agency=Associated Press|date=November 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304133402/https://www.courant.com/nation-world/ct-nw-jeffrey-epstein-conspiracy-theories-20191123-5smcuhoeajdcrikft2fpgy7cxm-story.html|archive-date=March 4, 2020}}

Celebrities have comedically referenced Epstein's death. Ricky Gervais remarked at the 77th Golden Globe Awards that Epstein did not take his own life, and Adam Driver played a murdered Epstein in hell on Saturday Night Live.{{cite magazine|last=Valby|first=Karen|date=January 26, 2020|title=SNL Drags Adam Driver's Jeffrey Epstein to Hell|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/01/adam-driver-snl-jeffrey-epstein-kylo-ren|magazine=Vanity Fair|location=New York City|access-date=July 11, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920181658/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/01/adam-driver-snl-jeffrey-epstein-kylo-ren|url-status=live}} U.S. Representative Paul Gosar posted 23 tweets in which the first letter of each tweet spelled out the meme's phrase.{{cite news|last=Armus|first=Teo|date=November 14, 2019|title=A GOP congressman hid a meme about Jeffrey Epstein's death in his impeachment tweets|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/11/14/paul-gosar-jeffrey-epstein-tweets-secret-message/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=September 21, 2020|archive-date=November 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193250/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/11/14/paul-gosar-jeffrey-epstein-tweets-secret-message/|url-status=live}} Holiday-themed merchandise (like Christmas sweaters) that prominently featured the phrase also became available for sale through several online retailers.{{cite news|last=Mak|first=Aaron|title=The Latest Conspiracy Theory Merch Craze Is Jeffrey Epstein Christmas Swag|url=https://slate.com/technology/2019/11/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-etsy-amazon-christmas-holidays-whyyyy.html|access-date=September 21, 2020|work=Slate|date=November 15, 2019|archive-date=November 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193231/https://slate.com/technology/2019/11/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-etsy-amazon-christmas-holidays-whyyyy.html|url-status=live}} In an interview with Slate, independent merchandisers indicated that the Christmas/Epstein product lines were selling comparatively well, citing the mashup's dark humor as the reason for their popularity. According to Variety, the Christmas-themed paraphernalia was outselling Game of Thrones merchandise.{{cite news |last=Khawaja|first=Jemayel|title='Jeffrey Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Is Peak Meme After Art Basel Prank|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/jeffrey-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-1203431048/|access-date=September 21, 2020 |work=Variety|date=December 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820233047/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/jeffrey-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-1203431048/|archive-date=August 20, 2020}} In the Season 2 finale of the streaming television series The Boys, it was revealed that Stormfront secretly killed Epstein in its alternate timeline.{{Cite web|date=October 16, 2020|title=The Boys Secretly Reveals Stormfront Killed Jeffrey Epstein|url=https://screenrant.com/boys-season-2-finale-stormfront-jeffrey-epstein-murder/|access-date=October 16, 2020|website=Screen Rant|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021104410/https://screenrant.com/boys-season-2-finale-stormfront-jeffrey-epstein-murder/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Weiss|first=Josh|date=October 9, 2020|title='Girls Do Get It Done': Twitter Reacts to The Boys' Literal Mind-blowing Season 2 Finale|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-boys-season-2-finale-twitter-reactions|work=SyFy|access-date=October 25, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029063658/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-boys-season-2-finale-twitter-reactions|url-status=live}}

Several television documentaries were created because of increased public interest after his death. In May 2020, Netflix released Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich. {{As of|October 2019|post=,}} HBO, SonyTV, and Lifetime also have similar works in progress.{{cite news |url=https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/tv/jeffrey-epstein-hbo-series-adam-mckay-julie-k-brown-20191031.html |title=HBO orders Jeffrey Epstein series based on book by former Daily News reporter |first1=Nick |last1=Vadala |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=October 31, 2019 |access-date=August 25, 2020 |archive-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211094609/https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/tv/jeffrey-epstein-hbo-series-adam-mckay-julie-k-brown-20191031.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/jeffrey-epstein-series-hbo-adam-mckay-1203388518/|title=Adam McKay Sets Jeffrey Epstein Limited Series at HBO Under New First-Look Deal|first=Joe|last=Otterson|work=Variety|date=October 30, 2019|access-date=August 25, 2020|archive-date=November 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108211641/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/jeffrey-epstein-series-hbo-adam-mckay-1203388518/|url-status=live}}

{{Portal|Law|New York City|United States|}}

• List of federal political scandals in the United States
• List of unsolved deaths
• Little Saint James, U.S. Virgin Islands

{{notelist|group=note}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite web|title=Inside the Jail the Night Jeffrey Epstein Died|date=November 20, 2019|first=Azi |last=Paybarah|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 20, 2020|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-death.html}}
• {{cite web|title=A timeline of what Jeffrey Epstein and his prison guards did in his final hours|date=November 19, 2019|first=Eric |last=Levenson|publisher=CNN|access-date=October 25, 2020|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/19/us/jeffrey-epstein-death-timeline/index.html}}

{{Sister project links|wikt=no|c=category:Death of Jeffrey Epstein|b=no|n=no|q=no|voy=no|s=no|v=no|species=no}}

• [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WuIp6GmgqhsZrQRbFtBrdsSbXJCQsI1o/view Autopsy report]
• [https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/1180481/download Indictment of Jeffrey Epstein]
• [https://vault.fbi.gov/jeffrey-epstein FBI vault]
• [https://www.motherjones.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Epstein.Docs_.redacted.pdf Redacted DOJ files]

{{Jeffrey Epstein Sex Trafficking Scandal}}

{{Conspiracy theories}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Epstein, Jeffrey, death of}}

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