Jeffrey Epstein’s Purported Suicide Note Released by US Court

May 6, 2026, 11:58 PM UTC

A purported suicide note from Jeffrey Epstein, which his former cellmate said he discovered tucked in a book, was released by a federal judge on Wednesday.

“They investigated me for month — FOUND NOTHING!!!” the handwritten note reads, followed by a line that’s less discernible in a version posted to a court docket. “It is a treat to be able to choose ones time to say goodbye. Watcha want me to do — Bust out cryin!! NO FUN — NOT WORTH IT!!”

A note purportedly written by Jeffrey Epstein, released by the US District Court.
Source: US District Court

US District Court Judge Kenneth Karas in White Plains, New York, agreed to unseal the note while overseeing proceedings for the former cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione. Tartaglione has said he recovered the message in July 2019 and kept it after Epstein was found in his cell unconscious and injured with marks on his neck. Tartaglione has long denied he attacked the notorious sex offender.

Epstein, who subsequently moved into a cell by himself, died while awaiting trial on charges that he sexually trafficked minors. Investigators ruled the cause was suicide.

The note wasn’t included in the massive trove of documents known as the Epstein files released by the Justice Department in recent months. The New York Times petitioned the court for its release and reported its contents earlier Wednesday.

© 2026 Bloomberg L.P. All rights reserved. Used with permission.


To contact the reporter on this story:
David Scheer in Seattle at dscheer@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story:
Sally Bakewell at sbakewell1@bloomberg.net

Peter Blumberg

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