Epstein Death Statement Predates Discovery of Body

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Newly unveiled Justice Department documents show that a federal statement reporting the death of Jeffrey Epstein bears a date that predates the actual discovery of his body in a New York prison cell. The statement, dated August 9, 2019, claims Epstein was found unresponsive and declared dead, but official accounts state he was not discovered until the morning of August 10, 2019.

Why it matters

Epstein's death abruptly halted one of the most closely watched federal criminal cases in recent memory, as prosecutors had accused him of operating a years-long sex trafficking operation involving underage girls. The discrepancy in the timing of the death statement raises further questions about the circumstances surrounding Epstein's demise and the failures within the federal detention facility where he was held.

The details

The document, originating from the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, is dated August 9, 2019 and claims Epstein had been found unresponsive and declared dead. However, according to prison logs and official narratives, Epstein was not discovered in such a state until the morning of August 10, 2019. Prison records show that guards assigned to monitor Epstein did not conduct required checks during the overnight hours before his body was discovered, and cameras positioned outside his cell were not functioning properly that night.

• On August 9, 2019, a federal statement was issued reporting Epstein's death.
• On August 10, 2019, Epstein was discovered unresponsive in his cell and pronounced dead.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Investigators continue to review surveillance footage and other evidence to determine the exact timeline of events surrounding Epstein's death.