BackLAW
US judge unseals Epstein suicide note, citing public access and accountability
A US judge ordered the release of a document claimed to be Jeffrey Epstein's suicide note. A scan of the note was unsealed, and the court described the note as subject to public access, with related statements by Epstein's cellmate and a May 2021 letter entering the document into record.
Why It Matters
The unsealing moves the discussion about Epstein's death and related proceedings into the public sphere, raising questions about transparency and the handling of sealed materials in high-profile cases.
Timeline
7 Events
Media reporting on the unsealing
May 7, 2026
News coverage followed the unsealing, with outlets like The New York Times petitioning to unseal the note and related documents; prosecutors argued there was no longer a compelling interest in keeping the note sealed.
Judge orders unsealing of the note
May 6, 2026
In an order, U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas concluded that the note is subject to the presumption of public access and unsealed the document, noting Tartaglione's public discussion waived attorney-client privilege as to the document.
Scan of note unsealed in court document
May 5, 2026
A scan of the note in the court document was unsealed, showing a handwritten sentence: 'They investigated me for month - FOUND NOTHING!!!' and references to years-old charges.
Tartaglione's note mention on podcast
2025
Tartaglione, Epstein's former cellmate, first mentioned the note's existence on a podcast in 2025.
May 2021 letter describes note as original document
May 2021
A May 2021 letter submitted to the court by John A Wieder described the note as the 'original document' that had been provided to the court.
Epstein death reported (a month after July 2019 attempt)
August 2019
Epstein was found dead in his cell about a month after the July 2019 suicide attempt; authorities ruled his death a suicide.
Epstein reportedly attempts suicide in July 2019
July 2019
The article notes that Epstein tried to kill himself in July 2019. He was found dead in his cell about a month later, in a death authorities ruled a suicide while he awaited a sex-trafficking trial.