A federal judge recently unsealed an alleged suicide note written by Jeffrey Epstein, making the document public for the first time. The undated note was found by Epstein's cellmate at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City, Nicholas Tartaglione, following an unsuccessful suicide attempt by Epstein in July 2019, weeks before he was ultimately found dead in his jail cell. Tartaglione, a former police officer serving a life sentence for murder, discovered Epstein unresponsive in their shared cell.

The alleged suicide note contains several striking phrases, including: "They investigated me for months — FOUND NOTHING!!!" and "It is a treat to be able to choose one’s time to say goodbye. Watcha want me to do — Bust out cryin!! NO FUN – NOT WORTH IT!!" The note, which lacked a signature, concludes with "NO FUN" underlined, followed by "NOT WORTH IT!!" The Guardian has not independently verified its authorship, and the justice department did not immediately comment on the matter.

The note was unsealed after The New York Times published a story detailing its existence and subsequently petitioned the court in White Plains, New York, for its release. Tartaglione stated in an interview that he found the note tucked inside a graphic novel after Epstein was moved to a different part of the jail. He passed it to his legal team as a potential defense against future assault allegations from Epstein, who had reportedly told prison officials that Tartaglione attacked him. Tartaglione's lawyers then enlisted handwriting experts to authenticate the note's author. The document had been sealed as part of Tartaglione’s appeal case, protected by attorney-client privilege. Judge Kenneth Karas, involved in the case, asked parties for their views on the note's public release, with the US attorney's office in Manhattan acknowledging a "strong public interest in the circumstances surrounding Epstein's death."

Epstein, who had pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking minors and conspiracy, was awaiting trial when he died by suicide in August 2019 at the age of 66. The New York City medical examiner ruled his death a suicide, a conclusion reached despite Epstein's consistent claims in the weeks prior to his death that he was not suicidal. His death has fueled numerous conspiracy theories, particularly given his close ties to powerful and wealthy individuals, suggesting a potential cover-up to protect high-profile accomplices in his crimes. A post-mortem examination identified three distinct fractures on his neck: one on the left hyoid bone and two in the thyroid cartilage (one on the right side, one on the left).

Further scrutiny has followed the release of more than three million documents related to Epstein by the Department of Justice. Never-before-seen footage revealed prison guards discovering Epstein's corpse, showing guards approaching his cell at 6:30 am on the day of his death, followed by frantic movements between the security desk and his cell area, with his death officially declared at 6:39 am. Despite ongoing speculation, Epstein's associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who was sentenced to 20 years for her role in luring underage girls for Epstein, denied the existence of a so-called 'client list' during conversations with then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. These records, subsequently released, provided no incriminating information on high-profile individuals, including Donald Trump.

For those in need of support, in the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255, and Rainn offers support for survivors of sexual abuse or assault on 800-656-4673. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email [email protected] or [email protected]. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14, and support for sexual abuse survivors is available at 1-800-RESPECT. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.