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Manhattan Today
By the People, for the People
Newly Released Docs Shed Light on Missing Epstein Jail Video
CBS News reports the FBI scrambled to explain the missing minute of surveillance footage from the night of Epstein's death.
Published on Feb. 12, 2026
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Newly released documents show the FBI struggled to explain why it released a screen recording with a missing minute from the night Jeffrey Epstein died in a federal detention center in 2019, instead of the original footage. The discrepancy fueled conspiracy theories about a cover-up, as the FBI had promised to release the original surveillance video to avoid any appearance of impropriety. The documents reveal the FBI later destroyed its master copy of the video, claiming it was no longer pertinent to the case.
Why it matters
The mysterious missing minute from the Epstein jail video has been a source of intense speculation and conspiracy theories since his death. This new information sheds light on the FBI's handling of the evidence and raises further questions about the transparency and completeness of the investigation into Epstein's death.
The details
According to the CBS News report, the newly released documents show the FBI scrambled to explain the missing minute from the video it released, which had been recorded on the night Epstein died in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan. The FBI had initially promised to release the original surveillance footage to avoid any appearance of a cover-up, but instead released a screen recording with a gap in the footage. Later, the FBI sought and was granted authorization to destroy the master copy of the video, claiming it was no longer pertinent to the case.
- Epstein died on August 10, 2019 in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan.
- In June 2024, an FBI agent was granted authorization to destroy the original surveillance video evidence from Epstein's final hours.
The players
Jeffrey Epstein
A financier who was facing federal sex trafficking charges at the time of his death in a federal detention center in 2019.
Dan Bongino
The former Deputy FBI Director who promised the agency would release the original surveillance footage from Epstein's jail cell to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
Graham Kates
A CBS News reporter who co-authored the story on the newly released documents.
Daniel Ruetenik
A CBS News reporter who co-authored the story on the newly released documents.
What they’re saying
“The discrepancy fueled conspiracy theories about a cover-up after then-Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino promised the agency would release the original surveillance footage from Epstein's Manhattan jail 'so you don't think there are any shenanigans.'”
— Graham Kates and Daniel Ruetenik, CBS News reporters (CBS News)
What’s next
The FBI has not provided a public explanation for how the original surveillance footage was replaced with a screen recording containing a missing minute. It remains to be seen if the newly released documents will satisfy public demands for transparency and accountability around the investigation into Epstein's death.
The takeaway
This case highlights ongoing concerns about the FBI's handling of sensitive evidence and the need for greater transparency from law enforcement agencies, especially in high-profile cases that have fueled widespread public suspicion and conspiracy theories.
