Recently released documents from the US Department of Justice have offered further insight into Jeffrey Epstein’s mental state in the days leading up to his death while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Epstein died by suicide in his cell at New York’s Metropolitan Correctional Center on 10 August 2019. However, prison records included in the latest disclosure suggest he had previously denied any intention of harming himself. In a suicide risk assessment dated 1 August 2019, Epstein reportedly told officials that, as a practising Jew, he believed suicide was forbidden by his religion.
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The newly published material forms part of a wider tranche of files released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress in November. Although many documents remain heavily redacted to protect victims’ identities, the records provide a clearer picture of Epstein’s interactions with prison staff shortly before his death.
According to the notes, Epstein was involved in an incident on 23 July 2019 that was described as a possible suicide attempt. When questioned, he told interviewers he could not recall what had happened, attributing his lack of memory to sleep apnoea. A subsequent psychological observation on 26 July recorded that Epstein “does not like pain” and had “never attempt[ed] to harm himself”.
The 1 August assessment concluded that his immediate risk of suicide was “low”. It stated that he appeared psychologically stable, denied feelings of hopelessness and spoke of future plans and reasons to live. Prison records also show that Epstein again denied any suicidal thoughts on 8 August, just two days before he was found dead. His death was later ruled a suicide.
The Justice Department said the files were released in line with legal requirements, while noting that certain material had been withheld or redacted. The legislation allows for omissions where disclosure could identify victims or compromise their privacy.
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The documents have also renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s associations. Several well-known figures are referenced or appear in images connected to the case, including former US president Bill Clinton, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Michael Jackson and actor Kevin Spacey. Former president Donald Trump is also mentioned in the files and appears in one photograph with Epstein, which was briefly removed from the Justice Department’s website before being reinstated following criticism. The department has stated that some allegations contained in the material are unverified or sensationalist. Epstein’s former associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence after being convicted of sex trafficking offences linked to the case.
