A federal judge in New York on Wednesday unsealed what is being called a suicide note apparently written by Jeffrey Epstein while he was jailed awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. The document was not part of any Justice Department, congressional, or civil investigation into Epstein's death or estate. Instead, it surfaced in proceedings tied to Nicholas Tartaglione, Epstein's former cellmate, who was convicted of quadruple murder.
The note, written in handwriting that appears to match Epstein's, reads in part: "They investigated me for month — FOUND NOTHING!!!" and includes the line: "It is a treat to be able to choose one's time to say goodbye." Its origin and how it reached Tartaglione remain unclear, but its unsealing adds a new layer to the lingering questions around Epstein's 2019 death.
Epstein's death was officially ruled a suicide by hanging. The note's release comes amid years of conspiracy theories and legal battles over whether he was killed. The document's tone—defiant and dismissive of the charges—suggests a man unwilling to face the consequences of a trial that could have exposed a network of powerful associates.
For Tartaglione, the document's role in court proceedings is still emerging. His legal team has not commented on why the note was sealed or how it connects to his case. The broader implications touch on transparency in high-profile criminal investigations, especially those involving the powerful and the deceased.
Critics argue the note's unsealing solves nothing. Without forensic testing or testimony on its chain of custody, its authenticity remains disputed, and it could further muddy rather than clarify Epstein's final days.