Death Investigation

Jeffrey Epstein, 66: Died in Federal Custody, Officially Ruled Suicide

Jeffrey Epstein, 66, was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. The New York City medical examiner and a Justice Department Inspector General investigation both concluded he died by suicide, hanging himself with bedsheets. Two guards who were supposed to be checking on him every 30 minutes failed to do so for hours and later admitted to falsifying records; both had their charges dropped after completing a deferred prosecution agreement. Surveillance cameras on his unit malfunctioned that night. Forensic pathologist Michael Baden, who observed the autopsy on behalf of Epstein's family, has repeatedly disputed the suicide finding, arguing the injuries are more consistent with strangulation. The dispute reignited in February 2026 after newly disclosed FBI material referenced an unexplained "flash of orange" on the surveillance tier shortly before his death.