New York, United States. A federal judge has released a document described as a suicide note purportedly written by Jeffrey Epstein, including the line: “It is a treat to be able to choose one’s time to say goodbye.” Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 in what was ruled a suicide.
Note released after media request
U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas released the handwritten note after a request by The New York Times, which reported its existence last week. The note was said to have been found by Epstein’s former jail cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, a convicted murderer and former police officer.
Judge cites public right of access
Karas ruled that the note qualified as a judicial document subject to the public’s right of access because it was submitted in connection with Tartaglione’s criminal case. Tartaglione is serving four consecutive life sentences for drug-related murders, and Karas oversaw that case.
The judge found no legal reason to keep the note under seal, writing: “No party has identified any competing consideration that would justify sealing the Note.”
Authenticity not assessed in unsealing decision
Karas did not vouch for the note’s authenticity or assess its chain of custody, treating those issues as irrelevant to the decision to unseal it.
Content and context of the document
The note, scrawled on a yellow legal pad, was submitted by lawyers for Tartaglione. Tartaglione was Epstein’s cellmate for roughly two weeks in July 2019 while both were held at a Manhattan jail.
According to an image released in the court file, the note states: “They investigated me for month – Found NOTHING!!! So 15 year old charges resulted,” and continues: “It is a treat to be able to choose ones time to say goodbye. Watcha want me to do – Burst out cryin!! NO FUN – NOT WORTH IT!!”
Timeline linked to July 2019 incident and later death
The note surfaced in July 2019 after Epstein was found alive in his Manhattan jail cell with marks on his neck in what authorities later described as an apparent suicide attempt. According to public descriptions by Tartaglione, the note was tucked inside a book in their shared cell.
Epstein died on Aug. 10, 2019, in a separate incident ruled a suicide.
Background on Epstein case
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 in Florida to soliciting prostitution from a minor, a conviction that led to a controversial plea deal and a short jail sentence. He was arrested again in July 2019 and charged with sex trafficking of minors, accused of recruiting and abusing underage girls in New York and Florida.
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