Jeffrey Epstein’s manner of death ‘pending further information,’ coroner says

An autopsy was carried out on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein on Sunday, but the cause and manner of his death are “pending further information,” New York City’s chief medical examiner says. Epstein was being held on federal sex trafficking charges.

“Today, a medical examiner performed the autopsy of Jeffrey Epstein. The ME’s determination is pending further information at this time,” Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Barbara Sampson said in a statement. Other details were not immediately released.

Sampson said a private pathologist, Dr. Michael Baden, was allowed to observe the autopsy at the request of those representing Epstein. “This is routine practice,” she said, adding that federal prosecutors were aware of Baden’s attendance.

But while a formal determination has not yet been made, multiple people briefed on the investigation said suicide remains the presumed manner of death, according to NBC News. The ongoing FBI investigation will allow the coroner’s office to make a determination with complete confidence, the network said.

Epstein was found unresponsive in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City on early Saturday morning, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead a short time later. He was 66 years old.

Both the FBI and the Justice Department’s Inspector General have launched independent investigations into the circumstances of Epstein’s death, which was reportedly the result of hanging. The multimillionaire had been left alone and was not being closely monitored at the time of his suspected suicide, in violation of jail procedures, according to the New York Times.

“Mr. Epstein’s death raises serious questions that must be answered,” U.S. Attorney General William Barr said in a statement on Saturday. The suspected suicide followed an incident in late July in which the financier was found unconscious in his cell with injuries to his neck.

Epstein was arrested and charged with sex trafficking of minors in early July, but he had long been accused of sexual abuse and was often the subject of conspiracy theories. Interest in the case was high due to Epstein’s connections to politicians, businessmen, and celebrities, including U.S. President Donald Trump, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Britain’s Prince Andrew, and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

In 2007, Epstein faced a 53-count federal indictment which could have sent him to prison for life, but he struck a secret plea deal with the help of prosecutor Alexander Acosta, who recently resigned as Labor Secretary. This allowed Epstein to plead guilty to Florida state charges of procuring a minor for prostitution, for which he served 13 months in jail.

The charges in 2007 stemmed from sexual activity with privately-hired “masseuses,” some of whom were just 14 years old. The plea deal, which required him to register as a sex offender, also served as a non-prosecution agreement, essentially shutting down an FBI probe which was trying to determine if there were additional victims or other co-defendants.

A judge ruled in February that the plea deal violated federal law because the victims in the case were not notified.

Epstein was taken into custody on July 6 when his private plane landed at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey following a flight from Paris. Two days later, an indictment was unsealed in Manhattan federal court in which he was charged with sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.

The indictment alleged that, from 2002 to 2005, Epstein sexually exploited dozens of underage girls by paying them to engage in sexual activity. He is also alleged to have worked with several employees and associates to ensure that he had a steady supply of girls, and paid several of the victims to recruit other underage girls to engage in similar acts for money. This was alleged to have happened in New York City and Palm Beach, Florida.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the U.S. Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, a free and 24/7 service that can provide suicidal persons or those around them with support, information and local resources. If you’re in the United Kingdom, call the Samaritans at 116123.