Multimillionaire financier and previously convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein was found unconscious in his New York jail cell early Saturday morning and was later pronounced dead in what reports have called an apparent suicide. But with questions about the 66-year-old’s death mounting, some have wondered if there’s more to the story.
Pouring fuel on that fire of conspiracy theories are reports alleging that Epstein had recently told fellow inmates and even prison guards that he feared for his life.
Sudden and surprising
The Daily Mail reported that, according to a source described as an “insider” at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Manhattan, where Epstein was being held, Epstein had expressed concern that his life was in danger and that someone was trying to have him killed.
Those fears may have stemmed from — or been amplified by — a July 24 incident that left Epstein temporarily hospitalized. Epstein had been found semi-conscious in his prison cell with bruises on his neck.
Reports characterized the incident as a suicide attempt, and the 66-year-old was subsequently placed on suicide watch, but Reuters reported over the weekend that Epstein was not on suicide watch at the time of his death. Indeed, according to the Daily Mail‘s insider, Epstein was in “good spirits” ahead of his death on Saturday morning.
“There was no indication that he might try to take his own life,” the insider said. “From what I saw, he was finally starting to adjust to prison. I think he was comforted by the rigidity of his new life.”
More questions than answers
Epstein was first convicted of child sex crimes in 2008 and served 13 months of an 18-month sentence in what many called an exceptionally lenient punishment for the multimillionaire, who has been tied to public figures like former President Bill Clinton.
The 66-year-old had just recently pleaded not guilty to new charges related to child sex trafficking. In light of his wealth and extensive history of international travel, he was ordered held without bond.
The alleged child sex trafficker appeared in court for the first time since his July 6 arrest on July 31, according to ABC News. His trial was set for next year.
Epstein’s sudden death earned the scrutinizing eyes of conspiracy theorists, but they weren’t the only ones looking to get to the bottom of his sudden demise. Even Attorney General William Barr reportedly wants answers.
“In addition to the FBI’s investigation, I have consulted with the Inspector General who is opening an investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Epstein’s death,” Barr said in a statement. “Mr. Epstein’s death raises serious questions that must be answered.”
Hopefully, the answers will come sooner than later.
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