Jeffrey Epstein apparent suicide note unsealed by federal judge in New York

An apparent suicide note written by Jeffrey Epstein has been unsealed by a federal judge, providing a rare and defiant glimpse into the financier's mindset before his death.

Epstein died in his jail cell on 10 August 2019, while awaiting trial for the alleged sex-trafficking of minors. On Wednesday, District Judge Kenneth Karas of the Southern District of New York released the handwritten document, which had been locked in a courthouse for seven years in connection to the criminal case of Epstein’s former cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione.

The note, which is neither signed nor dated, begins with a defensive claim: "They investigated me for month[s] — Found NOTHING!!!"

It continues by referencing his legal troubles and concludes with a dismissive tone, stating, "Watcha want me to do — Bust out cryin!! NO FUN—NOT WORTH IT."

The release follows a petition from The New York Times and long-standing claims by Tartaglione, a former police officer currently serving a life sentence for murder, who alleged he found the note hidden inside a graphic novel in July 2019.

While the note has not been officially verified, its contents align with the period following Epstein's initial discovery on his cell floor with neck injuries.

Though Epstein briefly accused Tartaglione of an assault, he later recanted, describing the event as a suicide attempt.

The Department of Justice has previously flagged other purported notes as fraudulent, but this specific document was released directly from court records.

The unsealing adds another layer of complexity to the official ruling of suicide, which has remained a subject of intense public scrutiny since 2019.