Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his jail cell early Aug. 10, the Department of Justice’s Federal Bureau of Prisons said in a statement.
Epstein was found unresponsive in his cell in the Special Housing Unit at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City at 6:30 a.m., the bureau said.
“Life-saving measures were initiated immediately by responding staff. Staff requested emergency medical services (EMS) and life-saving efforts continued. Mr. Epstein was transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries, and subsequently pronounced dead by hospital staff.”
The FBI is investigating, the bureau said.
Epstein, 66, was recently denied bail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Authorities said he sexually abused and exploited dozens of girls, some of them as young as 14.
Thousands of documents relating to his alleged wrongdoing were unsealed on Friday.
A lawyer for three of Epstein’s alleged victims said that the financier might be murdered before the trial took place.
In particular, Kuvin said that Epstein’s life is “definitely in jeopardy” if he intends to “implicate anyone in power that has the ability to reach in and somehow get to him.” He added, “It’ll be interesting to see whether or not Mr. Epstein attempts again to get out on bail and if he does, whether he survives between now and the date of his trial.”
High-Profile Ties
Epstein was arrested on July 6 and at the time was expected to be charged with sex trafficking minors and molesting dozens of underage girls.Right after his arrest, Christine Pelosi—daughter of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi—warned on Twitter that it was “quite likely” that high-profile figures in U.S. politics could be implicated in the Epstein case.
“This Epstein case is horrific and the young women deserve justice. It is quite likely that some of our faves are implicated but we must follow the facts and let the chips fall where they may—whether on Republicans or Democrats.”
Lawyer’s Speculations
Kuvin told The Sun: “I question whether or not it was a true suicide attempt that Mr. Epstein was involved in jail or whether or not there may be some powerful people who just don’t want him to talk.”“If he goes on trial, everyone he’s been in contact with will ultimately be fair game,” Kuvin told the tabloid. “There’s no doubt in my mind that no jail will protect you when there’s powerful people that want to reach you—wherever you are.
“I do question whether it was a true suicide attempt. I mean, how do you choke yourself? It doesn’t make any sense.”
Two sources told NBC New York on July 24 that Epstein may have tried to hang himself, but another source speculated that he may have been trying to transfer out of the prison, adding that his injuries were not serious.
A different source told the news station that Epstein may have been assaulted, noting that another man who had been held in the same area was questioned about the incident.