Judge Unseals Cryptic Note Found After Epstein’s First Suspected Jail Suicide Attempt

Nearly five years after Jeffrey Epstein’s death in a federal jail, a cryptic note purportedly discovered by his cellmate following Epstein’s first suspected suicide attempt has been unsealed by a federal judge. The note, which had been locked away in a courthouse vault as part of an unrelated legal case, was released after The New York Times successfully petitioned for its disclosure.

Nicholas Tartaglione, Epstein’s former cellmate and a convicted murderer serving life for killing four people, first revealed the existence of the note during a podcast last year. Tartaglione claimed he found the note tucked inside a book in his cell shortly after Epstein was found with a bedsheet tied around his neck on July 23, 2019—a reported suicide attempt that preceded Epstein’s eventual death on August 10, 2019.

The note’s contents are chilling and fragmented, reflecting a troubled mindset. It reads in part: “They investigated me for month -- found nothing!!!” and “It is a treat to be able to choose the time to say goodbye.” The note ends with an underlined warning: “NO FUN, NOT WORTH IT!!” The author of the note remains unknown, and it was never mentioned in official investigations into Epstein’s death.

Epstein’s demise at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan was ruled a suicide by the medical examiner. However, the circumstances surrounding his death have been heavily scrutinized. Jail personnel reportedly failed to monitor Epstein properly, with some guards caught browsing the internet or sleeping during their shifts, contributing to widespread suspicion and conspiracy theories about the true nature of his death.

The release of this note adds another layer of mystery to the Epstein saga, highlighting ongoing failures in accountability and transparency within the justice system. It serves as a stark reminder that the full story behind Epstein’s incarceration and death remains incomplete—and that those responsible for safeguarding him in custody have yet to face full reckoning.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “HOME” to 741741.