Timeline of Epstein’s Death: August 910, 2019
Based on court documents, the DOJ Inspector General report, and criminal complaints filed against guards Tova Noel and Michael Thomas.
August 9, 2019
- ~11:00 PM: Guard Tova Noel begins overnight shift in MCC’s Special Housing Unit (SHU), 9 South
- Epstein’s cellmate had been moved that day he was alone in his cell
August 10, 2019
- Approx. 12:00 AM 6:30 AM: Both guards Noel and Thomas are alleged to have slept and falsified their round logs, failing to check on Epstein for approximately 8 consecutive hours
- Guards later admitted in charging documents to being asleep during this period
- 6:30 AM: Guard Noel approaches Epstein’s cell during a scheduled check
- 6:306:33 AM: Epstein discovered unresponsive, not breathing, slumped in his cell
- 6:33 AM: Emergency services called; attempts at resuscitation begin
- 7:36 AM: Epstein pronounced dead at New York PresbyterianLower Manhattan Hospital
Autopsy and Official Ruling
Medical Examiner Dr. Barbara Sampson ruled the cause of death suicide by hanging. Fractures to the hyoid bone and other neck bones were noted injuries consistent with hanging but also, some medical examiners argued, with strangulation.
Independent forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, hired by Epstein’s brother Mark, called the evidence more consistent with homicide. The official ruling stands as suicide.