Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged suicide note and related cover-up allegations unsealed by court
Consensus Summary
A federal judge unsealed a handwritten note allegedly written by Jeffrey Epstein in July 2019, weeks before his death in a New York jail cell. The note, found by his cellmate Nicholas Tartaglione, expresses frustration over an investigation and despair, though its authenticity remains unverified. Epstein, awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, died by suicide on August 10, 2019, after jail staff were criticized for failing to monitor him properly. The note’s release follows a New York Times petition and comes amid renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s associates, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who faced congressional questioning about his ties to Epstein, including a 2012 visit to Epstein’s private island despite prior denials of close contact. Democrats accused Lutnick of misleading the public, while Republicans defended the investigation as non-partisan. The note’s contents—'They investigated me for months—found nothing!!!'—highlight Epstein’s claims of impunity before his death.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A note purportedly written by Jeffrey Epstein was unsealed by a federal judge on May 7, 2026, after a petition by the New York Times.
- The note was found by Epstein’s cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, after Epstein’s first suicide attempt on July 23, 2019, at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City.
- Epstein was found dead in his jail cell on August 10, 2019, with his death ruled a suicide by the medical examiner.
- The note reads: 'They investigated me for month — found nothing!!! It is a treat to be able to choose one’s time to say goodbye. Watcha want me to do — Bust out cryin!! NO FUN – NOT WORTH IT!!'
- US District Judge Kenneth Karas ordered the release of the note after the New York Times petitioned the court.
- Epstein was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges when he died.
- The note was sealed in a courthouse vault for nearly five years as part of an unrelated legal dispute.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified before the House Oversight Committee behind closed doors on May 7, 2026, about his ties to Epstein, including a 2012 visit to Epstein’s private Caribbean island, Little Saint James.
- Lutnick acknowledged he lived next to Epstein on the Upper East Side from 2005 to 2019 and claimed he only met Epstein three times, denying any personal or professional relationship.
- California Democrat Ro Khanna accused Lutnick of misleading the public and suggested his testimony raised questions about a cover-up, stating Trump would have fired Lutnick if he had seen the transcript.
- Arizona Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari called Lutnick a 'pathological liar' enabling a 'cover-up in American history' after questioning his awareness of Epstein’s allegations post-2008 plea deal.
- Lutnick previously said in a 2025 podcast he was disturbed by a 2005 visit to Epstein’s Manhattan home and vowed never to be in the same room with him again, but records showed plans for a 2012 meeting on Little Saint James.
- Nicholas Tartaglione, Epstein’s cellmate, first mentioned the note on a podcast in 2025, bringing it to public attention.
- The Guardian included suicide prevention and sexual abuse support helplines in its article.
- The note was sealed in a courthouse vault for nearly five years (no additional details provided).
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The New York Times and ABC describe the note’s release as ordered by US District Judge Kenneth Karas, while NEWSCOMAU refers to a federal judge in White Plains, New York, without specifying Karas by name.
- NEWSCOMAU states Lutnick found it 'unsettling' that an Epstein assistant knew he was traveling through the US Virgin Islands, while ABC does not mention this detail.
Source Articles
Epstein’s alleged suicide note released
A suicide note purportedly written by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been released by a US judge. Read the chilling handwritten message.
Judge releases note purportedly penned in jail by Jeffrey Epstein
A note Jeffrey Epstein's cellmate claims he found after the convicted sex offender's first suspected attempt to take his own life in a New York jail has been made public.
Alleged suicide note written by Jeffrey Epstein unsealed by federal judge
Epstein’s cellmate in New York City says he found note after convicted sexual offender attempted suicide in July 2019 A federal judge unsealed an alleged suicide note written by Jeffrey Epstein on Wednesday, the first time the document has been made public. Epstein’s cellmate at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City, Nicholas Tartaglione, said he found the note after Epstein unsuccessfully attempted suicide in July 2019, weeks before he was eventually found dead in his jail cell.
Court releases suicide note purportedly written by Jeffrey Epstein
The handwritten note was made public after being sealed in courthouse vault for nearly five years.