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Court unseals handwritten note attributed to Epstein
A US federal judge has ordered the release of a document believed to be a suicide note written by Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in custody in August 2019. The handwritten note, unsealed on Wednesday, references a months-long investigation that allegedly "found nothing" and expresses a grim sense of control over his fate.
Content of the note raises questions
The seven-line note, reportedly penned a month before Epstein's death, includes the phrase, "It is a treat to be able to choose one's time to say goodbye." It also contains the line, "They investigated me for month - FOUND NOTHING!!!", alongside references to old charges. The tone shifts abruptly with the statement, "Watcha want me to do - Bust out cryin!! NO FUN - NOT WORTH IT."
Epstein's former cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione-a former police officer convicted of quadruple murder-claimed he discovered the note hidden in a book after Epstein's first suicide attempt in July 2019. Tartaglione, who was awaiting trial for the murders at the time, had previously accused Epstein of fabricating an attack against him, a claim he denied.
Legal battle over document's release
The note was initially sealed as part of criminal proceedings involving Tartaglione. The New York Times petitioned for its release, arguing there was no justification for continued secrecy. Federal prosecutors supported the unsealing, stating that Tartaglione's public discussions about the note had effectively waived any privilege.
In his ruling, Judge Kenneth M. Karas concluded that the note was subject to "the presumption of public access," writing that its release would promote accountability and public confidence in the justice system. He also noted that Tartaglione's repeated public references to the note constituted a waiver of attorney-client privilege.
Authorities remain silent on authenticity
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has not verified the note's authenticity and did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A DOJ spokesperson previously told NBC News that the department had not seen the document but emphasized its ongoing efforts to release millions of other Epstein-related files.
The note was accompanied by a 2021 letter from Tartaglione's former lawyer, John A. Wieder, who described it as "the original document" ordered by the court at the time. Epstein's death, officially ruled a suicide, occurred while he awaited trial on sex-trafficking charges, fueling persistent speculation about the circumstances surrounding his demise.
Broader context of Epstein's death
A federal report previously identified security failures at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York on the night of Epstein's death. His case has remained a subject of intense public interest, with ongoing debates about the integrity of the investigation and the handling of his incarceration.
"The Court comfortably concludes that public access to the Note promotes 'a measure of accountability' as well as ensures that the public will 'have confidence in the administration of justice.'"
Judge Kenneth M. Karas
