Unveiling the Note From Jeffrey Epstein’s Former Cellmate
A piece of evidence linked to Jeffrey Epstein’s initial alleged suicide attempt in 2019 has emerged, not through the expected channels of Justice Department records but due to an unrelated legal matter. The note was located by Epstein’s former cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, after the infamous financier was discovered with apparent self-harm injuries in a Manhattan federal jail.
The Justice Department clarified their stance on the note’s absence from Epstein’s files, stating, “The note has not yet been authenticated, and this is the first time DOJ is seeing it as well.”
Tartaglione, who was sharing a cell with Epstein while awaiting trial for separate murder charges, claimed to have found the handwritten message in a book within their shared space. Following the incident, Epstein was relocated to another cell, where he was ultimately found dead in an apparent suicide.
In an attempt to protect himself from potential allegations of harming Epstein, Tartaglione handed over the note to his lawyers. This document remained in a federal court vault in New York since 2021, becoming an element of legal proceedings related to Tartaglione’s representation in his murder case. The details were sealed to maintain attorney-client confidentiality.
The former New York police officer, turned drug dealer, was convicted in April 2023 for the murder of four individuals. Tartaglione indicated he discovered the note while reading a book in his cell.
The New York Times intervened, requesting the note’s release from U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas, who agreed, citing the diminished privacy concerns due to Epstein’s passing. The note, though difficult to read in parts and yet to be authenticated, includes phrases such as “They investigated me for month — found nothing!!!” and “Watcha want me to do — Bust out cryin!!” concluding with “NO FUN. NOT WORTH IT!!”
Following the alleged suicide attempt on July 23, 2019, Epstein exhibited physical signs consistent with self-harm. Despite initially accusing Tartaglione of attack, Epstein later retracted his statement. Authorities placed him on suicide watch for 31 hours before transitioning him to psychiatric observation, under which he was at the time of his death on August 10, 2019.
The Justice Department did not oppose the note’s release, acknowledging public interest in Epstein’s death’s circumstances. Deputy U.S. Attorney Sean Buckley highlighted that Justice Department lawyers involved in Tartaglione’s case were restricted from disclosing details due to attorney-client privilege, which could explain the note’s prior obscurity.
