A handwritten suicide note attributed to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been made public by a federal judge in New York City after a period of being kept private. The U.S. District Court released the document on Wednesday, revealing Epstein’s statement that he had been thoroughly investigated for months without any incriminating findings. The note expressed Epstein’s sentiments about the investigation and reflected on his ability to choose the timing of his farewell.
The authenticity of the note could not be independently verified by CBC News. Nicholas Tartaglione, Epstein’s former cellmate, disclosed finding the note in a book belonging to Epstein after the latter was discovered unresponsive in his cell following a possible suicide attempt in July 2019. Epstein, aged 66, was later found dead at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, where he was awaiting trial on charges related to sex trafficking.
The note became a subject of legal dispute involving Tartaglione and his defense attorneys due to conflicts of interest. Initially sealed in May 2021 to protect attorney-client confidentiality, the document was eventually released on Wednesday following a successful petition by the New York Times to the court. The publication argued that the note’s secrecy was unjustified since Tartaglione had publicly discussed its existence and contents.
U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas concurred with the New York Times’ position that privilege no longer applied as Tartaglione had waived it by openly discussing the note. The U.S. Department of Justice also acknowledged this waiver, stating that it was unaware of the specific details of the case that led to sealing the note. Tartaglione, who briefly shared a cell with Epstein before being convicted of murder and sentenced to four life terms in 2023, has since filed an appeal.
For those experiencing challenges, various support services are available, including the Suicide Crisis Helpline, Kids Help Phone, and resources provided by the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention.
[Source](https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/jeffrey-epstein-purported-suicide-note-unsealed-new-york-district-court-9.7190612)