A federal judge in New York on Wednesday ordered the release of a document described as an alleged suicide note written by Jeffrey Epstein. US District Judge Kenneth Karas in White Plains granted The New York Times’ request to unseal the note after the paper reported on its existence and sought public access.
According to the Times, the handwritten page was discovered by Epstein’s former Manhattan cellmate, convicted murderer and ex-police officer Nicholas Tartaglione. The note was reportedly found tucked inside a graphic novel after Epstein’s first apparent suicide attempt in July 2019. Epstein died in his jail cell on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges; his death was ruled a suicide.
Tartaglione has mentioned the note publicly, including on a podcast with writer Jessica Reed Kraus, and told his lawyers about it as part of his response to accusations that he assaulted Epstein.
Media descriptions say the note was scrawled on a yellow legal pad and contains lines such as ‘They investigated me for months — FOUND NOTHING!!! It is a treat to be able to choose one’s time to say goodbye.’ Other passages reportedly read, ‘Watcha want me to do — Bust out cryin!!’ and conclude with ‘NO FUN’ (underlined) and ‘NOT WORTH IT!!’ The document is undated, unsigned and does not bear Epstein’s name.
Judge Karas said the note is a judicial document because it was filed in connection with Tartaglione’s criminal case, and that the public has a presumptive right of access to such materials. He found no legal basis to keep the note sealed. The judge explicitly declined to make any findings about the note’s authenticity or its chain of custody, saying those questions were irrelevant to whether it should be unsealed. Federal prosecutors did not oppose The New York Times’ request to make the note public.
Separately, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick gave voluntary testimony to members of a congressional committee on Wednesday about a 2012 visit to Epstein’s private island. Documents released earlier this year indicated Lutnick had stayed in contact with Epstein longer than he had publicly acknowledged. In past public remarks, Lutnick said he resolved to avoid Epstein after a 2005 visit to Epstein’s home, during which he and his wife saw a massage table that disturbed them.
Lawmakers said Lutnick told the committee he could not recall why he and his family had lunch on Epstein’s island. Representative Suhas Subramanyam said they repeatedly asked Lutnick why he went, and he responded that he did not remember and could not explain it. Representative James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight and Reform Committee, told reporters that Lutnick said Epstein invited his group when he learned they were vacationing nearby. Comer said the apparent inaccuracy in Lutnick’s prior statements was the committee’s main concern and warned that making false statements to Congress is a felony.
Lutnick is the highest-ranking administration official named in the Epstein court files other than former President Donald Trump. Trump has consistently denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and said he severed ties years earlier.
If you are experiencing severe emotional distress or suicidal thoughts, please seek professional help. International resources are available at https://www.befrienders.org.