The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, under Dr. Barbara Sampson, ruled Jeffrey Epstein’s death a suicide by hanging on August 27, 2019 — approximately two weeks after his body was found at the Metropolitan Correctional Center on August 10, 2019.
The official cause of death was asphyxia by hanging, with the manner of death listed as suicide.
The disputed findings: Dr. Michael Baden, a prominent forensic pathologist hired by Epstein’s brother Mark Epstein, observed the autopsy and reached a different conclusion. Baden noted that Epstein had:
- Two fractured vertebrae (the first and second cervical — C1 and C2)
- Fractures to the left and right hyoid bone — a small bone in the neck
Baden stated that while hyoid fractures do occur in hanging, they are far more common in strangulation. He argued the injuries were more consistent with homicidal strangulation than self-hanging, and publicly disputed the suicide ruling.
Dr. Sampson maintained her ruling, stating that the evidence, taken in full context including the circumstances, supported suicide.
What we know about the night of his death:
- Epstein had recently been taken off suicide watch
- He shared a cell with another inmate who was moved that night
- Two guards assigned to monitor him falsified logs showing they had checked on him when they hadn’t — they were later charged with federal offenses
- Security cameras near the cell malfunctioned
The combination of disputed forensic evidence and documented security failures has kept the circumstances of Epstein’s death controversial. Federal investigation into the security failures has concluded without producing any conclusive alternative theory.