A federal judge in New York has released a suspected suicide note purportedly authored by convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
The note was allegedly found by Nicholas Tartaglione, Epstein’s cellmate, and unsealed in his case by U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas in the Southern District of New York. Tartaglione told the New York Times that he found the apparent suicide note inside a graphic novel in July 2019 after Epstein was found in his jail cell, unresponsive, with marks around his neck in an apparent first suicide attempt.
“They investigated me for month — FOUND NOTHING!!!” the note starts, referencing years-old charges against him.
“It is a treat to be able to choose one’s time to say goodbye,” the note continues. “Watcha want me to do — Bust out cryin!! NO FUN – NOT WORTH IT!!”
Epstein died by suicide in August 2019 in his jail cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan. His high-profile death has been at the center of controversy for years. The Department of Justice confirmed the death as a suicide in July 2025.
Tartaglione, Epstein’s cellmate, was incarcerated on four counts of murder and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
“I opened the book to read and there it was,” Tartaglione told the New York Times about finding the note.
The New York Times had requested that the note be unsealed.
The Washington Examiner has not verified whether the note was written by Epstein.
HOWARD LUTNICK TESTIFIES ON HIS EPSTEIN TIES BEFORE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
The note’s release comes as the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has amped up its investigation into Epstein’s connections and as the DOJ released the online, public Epstein files library over the winter. The note, which was sealed by the court until Wednesday, is not currently included in the DOJ’s Epstein library.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Epstein’s former neighbor who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, testified before the House oversight committee on Wednesday in the committee’s latest deposition.