Jeffrey Epstein Years after his death, it still makes headlines. The death of Epstein, the late disgraced financier and convicted child sex offender, has been challenged by conspiracy theorists who have argued that prison surveillance footage outside his cell is unreliable. Additionally, his autopsy report raised eyebrows. So what actually happened when Epstein died?
Epstein’s former friend Ghislaine Maxwellfueled conspiracy theories when she shared how she thinks he died.
“In my prison, it’s either kill you or pay me. Someone can pay an inmate $25 worth of commissary money to kill you,” Maxwell said, according to transcripts and audio recordings of the conversation with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “But I don’t know why, and I don’t believe in blackmail or in this case. I don’t think Epstein came up with that idea. If it was really a murder, I think it was an inside story.”
Learn what we know about Epstein’s death below.
What was Jeffrey Epstein’s official cause of death?
Law enforcement officials say Epstein’s official cause of death has been ruled a suicide by hanging using a bed sheet, and that he likely hung himself by throwing himself forward using the top bunk of his bed. However, conspiracy theorists dispute this.
On August 10, 2019, Epstein was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York City. The Bureau of Prisons said Epstein was given life-saving treatment immediately after being discovered and paramedics transported him to the hospital. He was pronounced dead that day.
The Justice Department’s inspector general’s investigation criticized prison officials and officials, alleging negligence, misconduct and complete professional failure in Epstein’s death, according to multiple news outlets.
On the night of Epstein’s death, prison staff did not check on him every 30 minutes. Two guards assigned to Epstein’s cell fell asleep and did not check on him for about three hours. They also allegedly falsified records to cover up their mistakes. new york times.
What did Epstein’s autopsy report reveal?
Epstein’s autopsy report has raised questions about his manner of death. Dr. Michael Baden, who was in Epstein’s autopsy room, questioned the fracture of the larynx and hyoid bone, calling it “highly unusual for suicidal hanging” and saying it was consistent with “homicidal strangulation.”
“There is evidence of a murder here, and we need to investigate whether it is a murder or not,” Baden said, according to PBS. Dr. Barbara Sampson, the chief medical examiner who performed the autopsy, said she “categorically” stands by her findings regarding Mr. Epstein’s death.
Were there signs of foul play in Epstein’s injuries?
As Baden noted, damage to his larynx (located between the throat and trachea) and hyoid bone (between the base of the mandible and the third cervical vertebra) appeared to be signs of foul play.
However, this was not the first time Epstein attempted suicide. Weeks before his death, on July 23, 2019, Epstein was found unconscious in his cell, lying on the floor with marks on his neck. He was placed on suicide watch. Within a week, prison officials took him off suicide watch and placed him in a special housing unit.
Was there a problem with the prison surveillance footage?
The Justice Department released the footage in 2025 after conspiracy theorists claimed there was a one-minute gap in Epstein’s surveillance footage. The video only shows the outside of Epstein’s cell on the night he died, but does not show him entering or leaving.
Who was Epstein’s cellmate and what did he say?
Epstein’s cellmate in July 2019 was a former New York City police officer Nicholas Tartaglionehe was awaiting trial on four counts of murder. Tartaglione was not in the cell where Epstein died and was cleared of any involvement in Epstein’s first apparent suicide attempt.
Epstein was supposed to have a cellmate after he was moved to special housing. But that didn’t happen.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, please call. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
