Judge Unseals Alleged Jeffrey Epstein Suicide Note

Key facts

• A federal judge unsealed an alleged suicide note by Jeffrey Epstein on Wednesday.
• was reportedly found by Epstein's cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, in July 2019.
• Epstein attempted suicide in July 2019, weeks before his death in jail.
• states, 'They investigated me for months — FOUND NOTHING!!! It is a treat to be able to choose one’s time to say goodbye.'
• The New York Times petitioned a federal court to release the note.
• Tartaglione first mentioned the note's existence in a podcast last year.
• Federal prosecutors were reportedly unaware of the note's existence.

Note Emerges from Epstein's Final Weeks

A federal judge has ordered the unsealing of a document purported to be a suicide note written by Jeffrey Epstein. The note, made public for the first time on Wednesday, offers a glimpse into the disgraced financier's state of mind in the weeks before his death in a New York City jail cell. Its emergence into the public domain follows a petition filed by The New York Times, which had previously reported on the note's existence and subsequently sought its release from the court in White Plains, New York. The document is now part of the official case file, shedding light on a period of intense scrutiny for Epstein. The note's contents, though brief, appear to reflect frustration with ongoing investigations. "They investigated me for months — FOUND NOTHING!!!" it reads, followed by a chillingly detached observation: "It is a treat to be able to choose one’s time to say goodbye."

Cellmate's Account of Discovery

Epstein's cellmate at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, he discovered the alleged suicide note after Epstein's failed suicide attempt in July 2019. This incident occurred approximately two weeks before Epstein was found dead in his cell. Tartaglione, himself a convicted quadruple murderer, has stated that the note was written on paper from a yellow legal pad and was tucked inside a book. He first publicly disclosed the existence of this purported note during a podcast appearance last year. During that podcast, Tartaglione recounted the note's message, including phrases like, "FBI, you know, looked into me for months and found nothing.' Then he wrote, 'What do you want me to do? Cry about it?'" He also recalled Epstein adding a smiley face before writing, "time to say goodbye."

Legal Maneuvers for Disclosure

has been held within the sealed case file of Nicholas Tartaglione. The New York Times' petition to unseal the document argued that Tartaglione had already discussed its contents publicly, and that a related chronology document had been included in recent Justice Department disclosures concerning Epstein. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas has set a deadline of May 4 for parties involved in Tartaglione's case to respond to the request for the note's unsealing. This legal process underscores the sensitive nature of materials related to Epstein's final days. Adding a layer of complexity, sources familiar with the matter indicated to ABC News that federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York were reportedly unaware of any suicide note written by Epstein. However, a two-page chart within the Justice Department's released Epstein files did reference the note, attributing its discovery to "NT"—Nicholas Tartaglione—sometime between July 23 and July 27, 2019.

Uncertainty Over Authenticity and Details

has not been definitively verified by all parties. The Guardian has stated it has not confirmed whether the letter was indeed written by Epstein. The Department of Justice has not immediately responded to requests for comment. Further complicating the narrative, the chart referencing the note also stated that Tartaglione's lawyer, Bruce Barket, had authenticated the note in January 2020. However, the method of this authentication was not specified, and Barket himself declined to comment when reached by ABC News, citing the sealed nature of the matter. Epstein was found deceased in his cell on July 23, 2019, with a homemade noose around his neck, according to a detailed that he was found on the floor of his cell, with a red circular line of erythema at the base of his neck and friction marks on the front. Initially, Epstein had alleged that Tartaglione had attempted to kill him, an accusation he did not repeat, and Tartaglione has denied any involvement in harming Epstein.

Broader Context of Epstein's Death

occurs against the backdrop of persistent questions surrounding Epstein's death. Officially ruled a suicide, the circumstances have fueled numerous theories and investigations into potential lapses in security and possible complicity. Epstein, a wealthy financier with powerful connections, was awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges when he died. His arrest and subsequent death ignited widespread public outcry and renewed scrutiny of the individuals who associated with him. The legal battles over the release of documents related to Epstein continue, as authorities and the public seek a more complete understanding of his activities and the events leading up to his demise.

The bottom line

• A federal judge has unsealed an alleged suicide note purportedly written by Jeffrey Epstein.
• was reportedly found by Epstein's cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, after an attempted suicide in July 2019.
• expresses frustration with investigations, stating, 'They investigated me for months — FOUND NOTHING!!!'
• The New York Times petitioned for the note's release, leading to the judicial order.
• Federal prosecutors were reportedly unaware of the note's existence, though it was referenced in Justice Department files.
• has not been universally confirmed, and Tartaglione's lawyer declined to comment.