Epstein's Brother Alleges Suicide Note Was Forged, Calls for New Autopsy Review
AI-generated from multiple sources. Verify before acting on this reporting.
NEW YORK — Mark Epstein, the brother of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, stated Friday that the suicide note left by his sibling was a forgery and that an independent autopsy review will demonstrate suicide was medically impossible.
Epstein made the claims in a public statement released early Friday morning, reigniting questions surrounding the circumstances of Jeffrey Epstein's death in a Manhattan federal detention center in 2019. The statement asserts that physical evidence on Epstein's body, including specific bruising patterns, contradicts the official determination of suicide.
"The suicide note was fabricated," Mark Epstein said. "An independent review of the autopsy will prove that suicide was impossible."
Jeffrey Epstein died on August 10, 2019, in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. Federal authorities and the medical examiner's office concluded he died by hanging. The official autopsy report listed the cause of death as suicide, though it noted injuries consistent with the manner of death. The New York City medical examiner's office has maintained that conclusion for years.
Mark Epstein's allegations challenge the official narrative. He pointed to bruises on his brother's body as evidence of foul play, suggesting the injuries were inconsistent with a self-inflicted hanging. The statement did not provide specific medical details regarding the nature of the alleged bruising or the timeline of the injuries.
The Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have previously investigated the death, finding no evidence of foul play. The FBI concluded in 2023 that two correctional officers were negligent in their supervision of Epstein but found no evidence that anyone else was involved in his death. The officers were later convicted of falsifying records.
Mark Epstein's comments come as legal proceedings related to Epstein's estate and associated figures continue. The estate has faced numerous lawsuits from accusers and investors seeking damages. The family has not previously made public statements regarding the authenticity of the suicide note or the medical findings.
The statement from Mark Epstein did not specify when the independent autopsy review would take place or who would conduct it. It also did not indicate whether the family has formally requested a reopening of the case by federal authorities.
Questions remain regarding the specific evidence Mark Epstein intends to present to support his claims. The medical examiner's office has not commented on the new allegations. Legal experts note that reopening a death investigation years after the fact requires significant new evidence and typically involves a formal request to the appropriate judicial or medical authorities.
The situation remains fluid as the family continues to voice concerns about the official findings. No official response has been issued by the Metropolitan Correctional Center or the Department of Justice regarding the specific allegations of forgery.