Judge releases note cellmate says he found after Epstein’s suspected suicide attempt – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pexels)
New York – A federal judge has ordered the public release of a handwritten note that Jeffrey Epstein’s former cellmate said he found after the financier’s first suspected suicide attempt inside a Manhattan jail. The document had remained sealed for years inside a courthouse vault as part of a separate legal matter. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas issued the order from his White Plains courtroom on Wednesday, ending the long-standing confidentiality.
Note Emerges From Sealed Records
The note surfaced during routine handling of court files tied to an unrelated dispute. Epstein’s cellmate had turned it over to authorities shortly after the July 2019 incident, claiming he discovered the paper in the shared cell. Court records show the document was immediately placed under seal to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations at the time. Officials stored the single page in a secure vault at the federal courthouse in White Plains. Access remained restricted even after Epstein’s death later that month. The recent ruling lifts that restriction without additional redactions, allowing the public to review the cellmate’s account for the first time.
Context of the 2019 Jail Incident
Epstein was awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges when he was found injured in his cell on July 23, 2019. Guards reported the incident as a possible suicide attempt, though details remained limited at the time. The cellmate’s note reportedly described what he observed in the hours before and after the event. The document stayed out of public view because it formed part of evidence in a civil case unrelated to Epstein’s criminal prosecution. Judge Karas reviewed the material and determined that continued sealing no longer served any compelling interest.
Impact on Public Record
The release adds one more piece to the extensive documentation surrounding Epstein’s final weeks in custody. Legal observers note that such notes can sometimes clarify timelines or contradict earlier official statements. No immediate reaction has come from the cellmate or Epstein’s estate. The decision aligns with broader efforts to increase transparency around high-profile federal cases. Court staff will now make the note available through standard public records channels.
