Doctor Says Jeffrey Epstein Was Strangled, Not Hanged

A doctor who was present when Jeffrey Epstein's body was examined has said he believes Epstein was strangled. This is different from the official report that said he died by suicide by hanging. The doctor says the injuries he saw suggest strangulation. This news makes people ask more questions about how Epstein died in jail.
By Newsroom | Crime, United States |

A Shadow Over Justice

Nearly seven years after financier Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his New York City jail cell, a lingering unease surrounds the official account of his passing. While authorities have maintained that his death was a suicide, new assertions from a doctor who observed his post-mortem examination are reigniting debate and demanding a closer look at the events of that night. The implications extend beyond a single death, touching upon systemic issues within the correctional system and public trust in official findings.

Timeline of Events and Key Figures

Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender with ties to influential figures, was arrested in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges. He was held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Manhattan. On August 10, 2019, he was found unresponsive in his cell.

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Jeffrey Epstein Death Mystery: Doctor Challenges Hanging Verdict After Seven Years - 1

  • Initial Findings: The New York City Medical Examiner's office ruled Epstein's death a suicide by hanging.

  • Official Investigations: The FBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ) conducted investigations into the circumstances of his death. Attorney General William Barr described it as a "perfect storm of screw-ups" due to a series of failures by prison staff.

  • Guard Indictments: Two staff members on duty were indicted for their roles in the events leading to Epstein's death. They later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge and received community service.

  • Warden Removal: The warden of the MCC, Lamine N'Diaye, was eventually removed from his post.

  • DOJ Inspector General Report (June 2023): This report criticized jail officials for repeated "negligence, misconduct, and outright job performance failures."

  • Emergence of New Doubts: Recently, assertions have been made by Dr. Michael Baden, a pathologist who was present at Epstein's post-mortem examination.

Conflicting Accounts and Emerging Evidence

The Pathologist's Revised Stance

Dr. Michael Baden, who observed Epstein's post-mortem on behalf of the family, has come forward to state that he believes Epstein was strangled, not hanged. He asserts that he has not seen the specific type of neck bone injuries Epstein suffered in a suicide in over 50 years of death investigations.

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"Jeffrey Epstein was strangled and not hanged, according to a doctor present at his post-mortem who has now called for the investigation into the paedophile's death to be reopened." - Article 2

"Dr Baden, 91, has worked on a number of high-profile cases. … In an interview with The Telegraph, Dr Michael Baden raises questions about paedophile’s suicide Jeffrey Epstein’s cause of death should be reinvestigated, a doctor present at the paedophile’s post mortem examination has said." - Article 5

Official Statements and Counterarguments

The official ruling of suicide by hanging has been supported by the New York City Medical Examiner, Dr. Barbara Sampson. Reports indicate that Dr. Sampson was not present for the entire post-mortem examination. Some information suggests Dr. Baden later disavowed certain claims.

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"The Inspector General makes clear that Epstein's death was in fact a suicide. The documents show that toward the end of his life, Epstein sat alone in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, repeatedly calling himself a coward out loud." - Article 14

Institutional Failures and Surveillance Gaps

Multiple reports highlight significant failures in the protocols designed to prevent self-harm or harm to inmates.

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  • Inadequate Monitoring: Guards on duty reportedly failed to conduct required checks on Epstein.

  • CCTV Issues: Gaps in surveillance footage have been noted, with one report detailing video from a staircase cutting out shortly before midnight on the night of Epstein's death.

  • Mismatched Ligature: Questions have been raised about whether the correct ligature was examined.

  • Muddled Timeline: A federal draft statement related to Epstein's death was reportedly dated a day before his official passing, further fueling doubts.

"The United States Department of Justice's Inspector General's investigation report released on June 27, 2023, castigated jail officials for repeated 'negligence, misconduct, and outright job performance failures' in connection with Epstein's incarceration and death." - Article 1

Public Skepticism and Cultural Resonance

The circumstances of Epstein's death have fueled widespread public skepticism, manifesting in the viral phrase "Epstein didn't kill himself." This meme has appeared in various public forums and contexts, reflecting a broader distrust and a desire for deeper answers.

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"The phrase 'Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' has taken on a life of its own—sometimes more as a pop culture catchphrase than an actual belief." - Article 7

"Given Epstein’s connections to powerful figures, his pending federal sex trafficking charges, and a series of institutional failures surrounding his incarceration, the case continues to raise profound questions about accountability, criminal justice transparency, and systemic negligence." - Article 11

Expert Analysis and Disputed Findings

Dr. Michael Baden's re-evaluation of the evidence, particularly the physical signs observed during the post-mortem, presents a direct challenge to the official suicide verdict. He points to injuries that he considers atypical for suicide by hanging.

The New York City Medical Examiner's office, represented by Dr. Barbara Sampson, has maintained the suicide ruling. The basis for this conclusion, however, is subject to scrutiny, especially in light of the reported procedural lapses within the correctional facility.

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Jeffrey Epstein Death Mystery: Doctor Challenges Hanging Verdict After Seven Years - 4

Attorney General William Barr has acknowledged significant operational failures within the Bureau of Prisons, describing them as a "perfect storm of screw-ups." This admission underscores the compromised environment in which Epstein's death occurred.

Conclusion and Ongoing Questions

Nearly seven years after Jeffrey Epstein's death, the official conclusion of suicide remains contested by key witnesses and shadowed by evidence of profound institutional negligence. Dr. Michael Baden's assertion that Epstein was strangled, based on his observation of the post-mortem, introduces a significant counter-narrative. The documented failures in prison security, surveillance, and record-keeping further complicate the picture, leaving open questions about the true cause of death.

  • The discrepancies highlighted by Dr. Baden necessitate a thorough re-examination of the forensic evidence.

  • The documented systemic failures within the Metropolitan Correctional Center underscore the critical need for enhanced accountability and oversight in high-profile inmate management.

  • The persistence of public skepticism suggests a continued deficit in trust, amplified by the complex web of individuals connected to Epstein.

Further investigation into the inconsistencies, including a review of all available forensic data and personnel accounts, appears warranted to definitively address the lingering questions surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's death.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Jeffrey Epstein officially die?
The official report said Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide by hanging in his jail cell.
Q: What is the new claim about his death?
A doctor who saw his body after he died now says he believes Epstein was strangled, not hanged.
Q: Why does this doctor's opinion matter?
He was there when Epstein's body was examined and says the injuries he saw are not typical for suicide by hanging.
Q: What were the problems in the jail?
Reports showed guards made many mistakes, like not checking on him enough. There were also issues with cameras and records.
Q: Will there be a new investigation?
The doctor who made the new claim says the case should be looked into again. It is not clear yet if this will happen.