Judge Unseals Mysterious Note Linked to Epstein’s First Jail Suicide Attempt

A federal judge in New York has unsealed a handwritten note allegedly found after Jeffrey Epstein’s first suspected suicide attempt in jail, shedding new light on the troubled final weeks of the disgraced financier’s life. The note surfaced years after being sealed in a courthouse vault amid unrelated legal proceedings involving Epstein’s former cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione.

Tartaglione, a former police officer serving life for a quadruple murder, claimed he found the note tucked inside a book after Epstein was discovered with a bedsheet around his neck on July 23, 2019—about three weeks before Epstein’s eventual death by apparent suicide. The note reads in part: “It is a treat to be able to choose one’s time to say goodbye,” followed by defiant lines like “NO FUN” and “NOT WORTH IT!!” though parts are difficult to decipher.

The note was never mentioned in official government investigations or in the Justice Department’s extensive release of files on Epstein’s death. Judge Kenneth Karas ruled to release the document after The New York Times requested it, noting that privacy concerns for the deceased Epstein carry little weight.

Jail records confirm Epstein sustained neck injuries consistent with the July 23 incident and was placed on suicide watch for 31 hours afterward before being downgraded to psychiatric observation. Epstein denied suicidal intent to jail psychologists, citing religious beliefs and self-described cowardice.

Tartaglione and Epstein shared a cell for roughly two weeks following Epstein’s July 6 arrest. Both men denied any conflict between them during this period. Epstein’s death on August 10 occurred while he was alone in his cell, after a series of glaring jail staff failures allowed him to kill himself.

This newly released note adds another layer to the disturbing portrait of Epstein’s final days behind bars—marked by neglect, mismanagement, and unanswered questions. It underscores the urgent need for accountability in the federal jail system that failed to protect a high-profile detainee under intense public scrutiny.

As Epstein’s legacy of abuse and corruption continues to unravel, this note is a stark reminder that the official story of his death remains incomplete and contested. We will keep tracking developments and demand transparency from the institutions that allowed this tragedy to unfold.