Epstein found dead after apparent suicide
Jeffrey Epstein, the politically connected financier charged recently with sexually abusing dozens of young girls in the early 2000s, died Saturday after apparently hanging himself in jail, officials said, sparking outrage among victims who hoped to one day confront him in court and triggering multiple investigations into what happened.
The FBI, the Justice Department’s Inspector General and the New York City Medical Examiner all launched inquiries into how the high-profile inmate could have died in federal custody.
Epstein, 66, had previously been placed on suicide watch — though he was removed before Saturday — and was in a purportedly more secure unit of the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan when he was found unresponsive in his cell about 6:30 a.m. Saturday, officials said.
His death short circuits a trial that many women hoped would bring justice they felt Epstein had long evaded, and raises significant questions about U.S. prison officials’ ability to protect the lives of the suspects in their custody.
“Epstein is gone, but justice must still be served,” said Jennifer Araoz, who accused Epstein of raping her when she was 15 years old. “I hope the authorities will pursue and prosecute his accomplices and enablers, and ensure redress for his victims.”
Geoff Berman, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, said authorities plan to keep open the investigation into those who might have conspired with Epstein to facilitate his abuse.
“Today’s events are disturbing, and we are deeply aware of their potential to present yet another hurdle to giving Epstein’s many victims their day in Court,” Berman said in a statement.
Epstein’s lawyers did not return messages seeking comment.
Jail staff discovered Epstein hanging in his cell, people familiar with the matter said, though it was not immediately clear by what means. The Bureau of Prisons said in a statement Saturday that lifesaving measures “were initiated immediately by responding staff,” who then requested aid from emergency medical services.
Epstein was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the bureau said.
The Bureau of Prisons and Attorney General William Barr called the death an “apparent suicide,” though one official cautioned that the investigation was in its early stages and no final determination had been made.
That official, like others interviewed for this story, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation.
Barr said in a statement that he was “appalled” to learn of Epstein’s death in federal custody, which he said “raises serious questions that must be answered.”
Epstein, a multimillionaire and registered sex offender with ties to celebrities and politicians including President Donald Trump and former president Bill Clinton, was arrested last month on federal sex trafficking charges that could have put in him prison for 45 years. Prosecutors alleged he abused dozens of young girls at his Manhattan and Palm Beach, Fla., homes and enlisted his victims to bring him others.
Epstein had pleaded not guilty in the case, and a federal judge had recently denied his request to be released to home confinement.
Last month, Epstein was found in his cell with marks around his neck, and authorities were trying to determine whether he was attacked or attempted suicide. A person familiar with the matter said Epstein was placed on suicide watch — which meant he was subject to near constant monitoring and daily psychiatric evaluations — after that. But he was taken off suicide watch after about a week, this person said. He showed no obvious signs of distress at a July 31 court hearing and, in recent weeks, had been meeting with his lawyers for up to 12 hours a day to discuss his case, the person said.
Two law enforcement officials said there were no early indicators of foul play, but they noted the FBI investigation was in its infancy.
“We don’t have an indication of that right now,” one law enforcement official said of the prospect that someone may have killed Epstein.
Epstein’s lawyers did not return messages seeking comment.