A note discovered by Jeffery Epstein’s cellmate following his attempted suicide in the New York jail has been made public.
A week ago, The New York Times petitioned for the letter and other documents to be unsealed. On Thursday (AEST), District Judge Kenneth Karas ordered the note’s release.
Epstein’s cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, a former police officer convicted of murder, claimed he found the note hidden in a book after Epstein’s first attempt to take his own life on July 23, 2019.
“They investigated me for month — found nothing!!!” the note reads. The next line cannot be translated.
“It is a treat to be able to choose the time to say goodbye.
“Watcha want me to do — burst out cryin!!
“NO FUN — NOT WORTH IT!!”
This note allegedly penned by the convicted sex offender was locked in a courthouse vault for almost five years due to Tartaglione’s case.
After the July incident, Epstein was asked about the red marks on his neck, to which he claimed Tartaglione had attacked him. According to The Times, Tartaglione passed the note to his legal team to be used as a possible defense against future assault allegations from Epstein.
Other documents involving Tartaglione have also been released.
With the note unsigned, it is unclear who wrote the note that Tartaglione reportedly discovered. The Times said his lawyers authenticated the note, but didn’t explain how.
Few people knew about the note until Tartaglione discussed it on a podcast in 2025.
Epstein was found dead in his cell on August 10, 2019, at Manhattan’s federal jail awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit their website.
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