Alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was reportedly not under suicide watch at the Manhattan Correctional Institute during the time of his death early Saturday morning.
Epstein, a billionaire under indictment for charges related to exploitation of underage girls, sex trafficking, and other crimes, allegedly hanged himself in his cell on Saturday.
Multiple sources told NBC News on Saturday that Epstein was not under suicide watch at the time of his death, though he had reportedly attempted to injure himself in July. Epstein was found in a cell on July 24 semiconscious in the fetal position with marks on his neck. No official word about the cause of the injury was released.
Reports in July indicated that Epstein had been on suicide watch after the incident, but sources now say that he was not.
Epstein’s death came just a day after 2,000 pages of documents were filed, revealing several names of high-profile people involved in Epstein’s alleged crimes. The documents also provided further details of the crimes that allegedly took place between 2002 and 2005 that involved sexual abuse and trafficking in multiple locations.
Senior law enforcement officials reported that Epstein’s death would be investigated by the FBI, which is not typical of prison suicide deaths.
Many expressed skepticism on social media after the news of Epstein’s death, citing the timing and circumstances as being “fishy.”
“I am not into conspiracy theories,” attorney Scott Hechinger said on Twitter. “But Epstein had destructive information on an extraordinary number of extraordinarily powerful people. It is not easy to commit suicide in prison. Especially after being placed on suicide watch. Especially after already allegedly trying.”
I am not into conspiracy theories. But Epstein had destructive information on an extraordinary number of extraordinarily powerful people. It is not easy to commit suicide in prison. Especially after being placed on suicide watch. Especially after already allegedly trying.
— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) August 10, 2019
“The fact that Jeffrey Epstein was able to commit the selfish act of taking his own life as his world of abuse, exploitation, and corruption unraveled is both unfortunate and predictable,” Brad Edwards, an attorney representing some accusers, said in a statement.
“The victims deserved to see Epstein held accountable, and he owed it to everyone he hurt to accept responsibility for all of the pain he caused,” he said.
An official cause of death has not yet been ruled.
