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Time to say goodbye: Epstein's suicide note remains sealed by court
Jeffrey Epstein authored a note before his 2019 death that reportedly expressed innocence. The note was found by his cellmate amid a July 2019 incident at the Metropolitan Correctional Center and has since been sealed by a judge. Officials say the note has not been released or included in death investigations, and a 2023 DOJ inspector general review notes it was not among the records examined.
Why It Matters
The sealed note raises questions about transparency and the handling of sealed court records in Epstein's death case.
Timeline
11 Events
April 30, 2026 — DOJ says it has not seen the note in records
April 30, 2026
A Department of Justice spokesperson said authorities had carried out an extensive effort to gather all available records related to Epstein but had not seen the note.
2023 — DOJ OIG review mentions note not included
2023
The note was not included in the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General's 2023 review of Epstein death investigations.
July 2019 — Handwriting analysis and confirmation
July 2019
Handwriting experts examined the document and reportedly verified the note as written by Epstein.
July 2019 — A week after the incident, Epstein's statement to officials
July 2019
Prison records indicate Epstein told officials he had never had any issues with Tartaglione and felt safe sharing a cell with him.
July 2019 — Note found in cell after move
July 2019
Tartaglione moved Epstein to another cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center and found a note tucked inside a graphic novel left in the cell, including the line 'Time to say goodbye' and a claim of innocence.
July 2019 — Epstein's neck marks incident
July 2019
Epstein was found with marks on his neck and publicly accused his cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, of attacking him.
2019 — Note remains sealed by court
2019
The note has remained sealed by a judge and has not been made public.
2019 — Epstein's death ruled a suicide by medical examiner
2019
Epstein's death in custody was ruled a suicide by the New York City medical examiner.
2019 — Note entangled in Tartaglione defense disputes
2019
Court filings indicate the document became entangled in legal disputes involving Tartaglione's defense team, including a separate sealed order leading to disqualification of a lawyer.
2019 — Judge sealed the note
2019
A judge ordered the note sealed, and it has remained confidential since then.
2019 — Note submitted to federal court as part of Tartaglione's case
2019
The note was later submitted to a federal court and became part of Tartaglione's legal case.