Jeffrey Epstein’s autopsy results reveal he committed suicide by hanging in his Manhattan jail cell. According to Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Barbara Sampson, they based the determination Epstein died by hanging on “careful review of all investigative information, including complete autopsy findings.”
The results of the autopsy, performed Sunday, were released nearly a week after the 66-year-old multimillionaire financier was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correction Center (MCC). The Office of the Chief of Medical Examiner said the results were not immediately released because they were subject to further information expected at the time.
The confirmation of the cause of death as suicide by hanging follows widespread rumors, conspiracy theories, and media speculation that someone could have murdered Epstein.
For instance, The Washington Post reported that the autopsy showed that Epstein suffered “multiple breaks to his neck bones” that deepened “the mystery about the circumstances around his death.”
Epstein reportedly suffered a broken hyoid bone after hanging himself with a bed-sheet. TMZ also reported he suffered multiple fractures in his neck bones that were consistent with the effects of death by hanging.
He also suffered petechial hemorrhaging in the eyes. This hemorrhaging, according to experts, usually happens as a result of asphyxiation when someone is hanged, strangled, or smothered.
Authorities reportedly believe that Epstein most likely committed suicide by tying bedsheets to the top of his bunk bed and throwing himself from the top of the bunk bed.
However, speculation that someone murdered him spread thanks to the circumstances and timing of his death. He died awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. It happened a day after a lawsuit unsealed that contained damning allegations of sexual abuse of underage girls. There were also bombshell allegations against prominent politicians.
Many questioned the fact he was not on suicide watch at the time of his death on August 10. There was a previous botched suicide attempt on July 24 that landed him in the hospital with minor neck injuries. Officials took him off suicide watch after undergoing a series of psychological assessments, according to CNN.
The prison reassigned the warden and suspended two prison guards. The FBI and Justice Department investigations revealed “serious irregularities” in the management of security and adherence to the protocol by staff at the Metropolitan Correction Center (MCC).
Guards failed to check on Epstein every 30 minutes, as required. He was allegedly left unchecked for about three hours, according to a report by the New York Times.