Judge Unseals Epstein Suicide Note That Was Hidden From Public and Investigators

A federal judge has ordered the release of a suicide note allegedly penned by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein shortly before his death in a New York jail. The note, kept secret until now, was reportedly discovered by Epstein’s cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, after Epstein’s first suspected suicide attempt less than two weeks before he ultimately died.

Epstein’s death on August 10, 2019, was officially ruled a suicide by hanging. But the circumstances surrounding his death have long been shrouded in mystery and controversy, with multiple investigations revealing glaring lapses in jail protocol and unanswered questions about who might have had a motive to silence him.

The newly unsealed note claims Epstein had been investigated for months and “found nothing,” and chillingly states, “It is a treat to be able to choose one’s time to say goodbye.” Tartaglione, a former police officer serving life for a quadruple murder, disclosed the note publicly only last year on a podcast. The note was never mentioned in government reports or included in the Department of Justice’s extensive release of Epstein-related documents.

Judge Kenneth Karas weighed the privacy interests of Epstein and others before ordering the note’s release, noting that privacy concerns for deceased individuals are “vastly reduced” and that disclosure is unlikely to cause harm.

Records show Epstein suffered visible injuries from his first suicide attempt on July 23, 2019, when he was found with a bedsheet around his neck but still alive. He told jail officers and a psychologist that he did not intend to kill himself and cited his Jewish faith opposing suicide. Despite being placed on suicide watch, Epstein was quickly downgraded to psychiatric evaluation and ultimately left alone in his cell after Tartaglione was transferred out.

The jail’s failure to follow protocols was stark: Epstein was supposed to be checked every 30 minutes by guards, but no checks occurred the night before his death. Epstein’s death thus remains a focal point of suspicion in a case that exposed elite impunity, institutional failure, and possible cover-ups.

This newly revealed note adds another layer to the Epstein saga, underscoring the urgent need for transparency and accountability in how justice is administered — or denied — to the powerful. We will keep tracking developments in this ongoing story that continues to implicate some of the most influential figures in America.