FBI Report Reveals Key Details of Epstein’s Suicide Circumstances

The FBI has released a timeline detailing the events surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide in August 2019. This report is part of the documents made public under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Epstein, a financier and convicted sex offender, was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019.

Key Events Leading to Epstein’s Death

Upon his entry into the Metropolitan Correctional Center, Epstein underwent a psychological intake screening. He denied having suicidal thoughts and indicated no previous mental health treatments. On July 9, he was placed in a cell shared with another inmate.

• July 9: A suicide risk assessment showed no signs of suicidal ideation.
• July 23: An officer found Epstein lying in a fetal position on the floor of his cell.
• July 30: Epstein again denied suicidal thoughts, leading to the discontinuation of psychological observation.

On the morning of July 23, officers observed Epstein in his cell with a red neck, though no abrasions were noted. He claimed that his cellmate attempted to harm him, while the cellmate insisted he was asleep.

Suicide Watch and Final Days

Following the incident, Epstein was placed on suicide watch. He described feelings of depression and unhappiness regarding his legal challenges, but maintained he was not suicidal. On July 30, he once again denied having suicidal thoughts, leading to the end of his psychological monitoring.

On August 10, at 6:33 a.m., a body alarm activated in Epstein’s unit. An officer reported a medical emergency, stating, “Epstein hung himself.” When help arrived, officers began performing CPR. One officer noted, “We did not complete the 3am nor 5am rounds,” expressing distress about the failure to conduct regular checks.

Emergency Response and Conclusion

Epstein was taken to the jail’s medical area, where a nurse continued CPR until emergency medical services arrived. He was subsequently transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:36 a.m. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later ruled Epstein’s death a suicide by hanging. This tragic incident continues to raise questions about the protocols in place surrounding high-profile inmates.