US Judge Unseals Purported Jeffrey Epstein Suicide Note
A handwritten note, allegedly written by late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has been unsealed and made public by a federal judge in New York. The note, discovered by Epstein's then-cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, in July 2019, was filed under seal as part of Tartaglione's case. The document was disclosed following a petition by The New York Times to unseal it, but its authenticity has not yet been verified.
Background and Context
Jeffrey Epstein, a disgraced financier, was found dead in his cell on August 10, 2019, at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City. He was awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Epstein's death, which was ruled as a suicide, came after a previous suicide attempt in late July the same year, during which he was found unresponsive with a strip of cloth around his neck.
His former cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, a convicted murderer and ex-police officer, claimed to have found the note after Epstein's first suspected suicide attempt. The note had been locked in a courthouse vault for nearly five years as part of an unrelated legal dispute involving Tartaglione.
Key Details of the Note
The handwritten note was reportedly found in Tartaglione's folder among the pages of a graphic novel, and was made public on Wednesday, May 6. The note purportedly expresses Epstein's frustration with past investigations against him, concluding with statements like They investigated me for months – found nothing!!!
and Time to say goodbye.
However, the contents of the note have varied across reports. Some sources like The Times of Israel refer to the note as saying Watcha want me to do -- Bust out cryin!!
before concluding with NO FUN
and NOT WORTH IT!!
, while Corriere della Sera reports the note as stating It's a privilege to choose when to say goodbye.
Implications and Reactions
The unsealing of the note has sparked public interest, with skeptics continuing to insist that Epstein was murdered to cover up for the powerful individuals implicated in his case. The New York Times has not authenticated the note, and the BBC also states that it has not verified the note.
Current Status
The note's release marks a significant development in the long-drawn Epstein case. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas ruled the document should be made public, finding no sufficient reason to keep it sealed. As the investigation continues, the veracity of the note remains unconfirmed, leaving room for further speculation and intrigue.