Records show Epstein death statement prepared before discovery of body
According to the records, surveillance footage from the night of 9 Aug. shows that at about 10:39 pm, an “orange-coloured figure” moved toward the tier where Epstein’s cell was located
Newly released records from the US Department of Justice show that a draft statement concerning the death of financier Jeffrey Epstein was dated 9 Aug. 2019, a day before he was found dead in his jail cell, according to the documents.
The draft statement, attributed to then-Manhattan US Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman, said the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) had confirmed Epstein was found unresponsive and pronounced dead "earlier this morning." Epstein was discovered dead on 10 Aug. 2019, says NDTV.
The disclosure includes at least 23 documents labeled as statements from the US Attorney's Office, with multiple versions showing differing redactions, the records show.
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The documents highlight several issues that have continued to draw scrutiny to the official ruling that Epstein died by suicide.
According to the records, surveillance footage from the night of 9 Aug. shows that at about 10:39 pm, an "orange-coloured figure" moved toward the tier where Epstein's cell was located. The Justice Department identified the figure as a corrections officer carrying orange linen. Independent analysts cited in the records argued the movement appeared consistent with that of an inmate, which prison staff described as unusual at that hour.
The documents state that Epstein was found hanging from an orange noose fashioned from a sheet or shirt. Declassified FBI photographs show medical personnel attempting to resuscitate him on a stretcher at 6:49 am on 10 Aug., about 16 minutes after he was initially discovered.
An 89-page autopsy report referenced in the records detailed fractures to Epstein's thyroid cartilage. The documents also note that several photographs taken at the hospital where Epstein was pronounced dead misspelled his first name as "Jeffery."
Despite what the records describe as the "disturbing" nature of the events surrounding Epstein's death, the US Attorney's Office said the investigation into the underlying sex trafficking and conspiracy allegations would continue.
