MCC DEATH INVESTIGATION Metropolitan Correctional Center — August 10, 2019
Jeffrey Epstein was found unresponsive in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) at approximately 6:30 AM on August 10, 2019. He was pronounced dead at New York Presbyterian-Lower Manhattan Hospital.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS: — July 23, 2019: Epstein found injured in his cell with marks on his neck (first incident) — July 24: Placed on suicide watch — July 29: Removed from suicide watch after just 6 days, against standard protocol — August 9: Approximately 2,000 pages of documents from Giuffre v. Maxwell unsealed — August 9 evening: Epstein's cellmate transferred, leaving him alone in a two-person cell — August 10, 6:30 AM: Found unresponsive
OFFICIAL FINDINGS: New York City Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Barbara Sampson ruled the death a suicide by hanging. Epstein used a bedsheet tied to the top bunk. The autopsy noted multiple fractures of the hyoid bone, which experts noted is more common in cases of strangulation by ligature but can occur in hanging, particularly in older individuals.
GUARD MISCONDUCT: Correctional officers Tova Noel and Michael Thomas were assigned to check on Epstein every 30 minutes. Investigation revealed that both officers allegedly fell asleep during their overnight shift and subsequently falsified log entries to show checks had been performed. Both were charged with conspiracy and falsifying records but entered deferred prosecution agreements in 2021.
FACILITY CONDITIONS: The DOJ Inspector General's investigation found that MCC was severely understaffed, with guards regularly working mandatory overtime shifts. The facility had chronic staffing shortages, and conditions were described as deplorable. Security cameras in the area outside Epstein's cell either malfunctioned or produced footage of such poor quality that it could not confirm or deny events.