A federal judge in New York has ordered the release of a purported suicide note written by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein to his former cellmate, after ruling there was no compelling reason for the document to remain sealed.
The handwritten note surfaced during the criminal case against former police officer Nicholas Tartaglione, who was convicted over the killings of four men and is currently serving four life sentences.
U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas sided with The New York Times in its bid to unseal the document, finding that the privacy interests of Epstein, who died in custody in 2019, were “vastly reduced” because he was deceased.
The note, which had been filed under seal as part of Tartaglione’s case, contains several troubling and cryptic remarks.
In one section, Epstein appears to reference previous investigations into him, writing: “They investigated me for months – found nothing!!!”
Another line appears to read: “so 16 year old charge results!”
“It is a treat to be able to choose one’s time to say goodbye,” the note continues.
“Watcha want me to do — bust out crying!!” it concludes. “NO FUN — not worth it!!”
Some sections of the handwritten document are reportedly difficult to decipher.
The release of the note is likely to reignite public interest in Epstein’s death, which has long been the subject of speculation and conspiracy theories.
Weeks before he was found dead in his jail cell, Epstein had reportedly denied an earlier suicide attempt and told prison staff that marks on his neck were the result of an assault by Tartaglione.
Following the incident, Epstein was moved into another cell by himself, where he was later discovered dead.
Tartaglione has repeatedly denied ever harming Epstein and has been cleared of involvement in his death. According to court filings, he handed the note to his lawyer because he feared he would once again be accused if anything happened to Epstein.
The judge ordered the note’s release after receiving approval from both Tartaglione’s legal team and the prosecutors involved in his murder case.
The document was not part of the previously released Epstein files and has not featured in formal investigations into his death.
At the time he died, Epstein had been awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking minors.
Images: US Department of Justice
