A federal judge unsealed an alleged suicide note written by Jeffrey Epstein on Wednesday, marking the first public release of the document. The note was discovered by Epstein's cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City after Epstein's unsuccessful suicide attempt in July 2019, weeks before he was found dead in his cell.
Contents of the Note
The note reads: "They investigated me for months — FOUND NOTHING!!! It is a treat to be able to choose one's time to say goodbye. Watcha want me to do — Bust out cryin!! NO FUN – NOT WORTH IT!!" It does not include a signature. The Guardian has not independently verified the letter's authenticity, and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Background of the Case
The note was unsealed after The New York Times published a story detailing its existence and petitioned the court in White Plains, New York, for its release. Tartaglione, a former police officer serving life for a quadruple murder conviction, found Epstein unresponsive in their cell. Epstein later told prison officials he had been attacked by Tartaglione, according to federal records. In the weeks before his death, Epstein maintained he was not suicidal.
Tartaglione passed the note to his legal team as a potential defense against future assault allegations from Epstein, according to The Times. The lawyers then enlisted handwriting experts to authenticate the note's author. The note had been sealed as part of Tartaglione's appeal due to attorney-client privilege.
Official Ruling and Conspiracies
The New York City medical examiner ruled Epstein's death a suicide in 2019, but his close ties to the powerful and wealthy continue to fuel conspiracy theories about his death.
Support Resources: In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In Australia, Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines are at www.befrienders.org. For sexual abuse survivors, Rainn offers support at 800-656-4673 in the US; in the UK, the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) at 0808 801 0331; in Australia, 1-800-RESPECT.
Victoria Bekiempis contributed reporting.
