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Didn't kill himself the first time: Did Epstein really attempt suicide?
Billionaire pedophile prison papers leave many questions unanswered
By Kit Klarenberg, an investigative journalist exploring the role of intelligence services in shaping politics and perceptions. Follow him on Twitter @KitKlarenberg
And Keelan Balderson, a UK-based journalist interested in security services, and misuse of state power. Follow his work at @altnewsuk.
US Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) documents released to RT investigative unit The Detail pose serious questions about Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged attempt to kill himself while incarcerated in the Metropolitan Correctional Center. The files, released in response to a Freedom of Information request, cast doubt on this key component of the official narrative surrounding his ever-mysterious alleged suicide – namely, did it even happen?
According to the established timeline of events, Epstein was found injured and semi-conscious on the floor of his cell in the early hours of July 23, 2019, 17 days after his imprisonment on charges of child sex trafficking, with marks of an unspecified nature around his neck. Claiming to remember nothing about what happened, his cellmate, former NYPD officer Nicholas Tartaglione – who has coincidentally shared the same legal representation as Epstein’s partner and ‘madam’ Ghislaine Maxwell – likewise pleaded ignorance.
The files show that within minutes of the alleged incident, attempted suicide by “hanging/asphyxiation” was officially logged, although sections of the report describing what happened are totally redacted, as is the name of the individual who authored it. In a report written by the doctor who examined Epstein around five hours later, Epstein’s own account of how he sustained the injuries is, too, entirely blanked out.
The following day, Epstein was taken off suicide watch and charged with violating prison code 228, “tattooing or self-mutilation.” He was subject to a psychological assessment, with one official suggesting, “most likely he will be found competent because he is not mentally ill,” while another enquired as to whether or not Epstein was “mentally capable of proceeding with the disciplinary process.” Oddly, in response, an unnamed staffer wrote, “I would feel really uncomfortable doing this.”
Several copies of the incident report are reproduced in the files, but it wasn’t until a week later, on July 30, that the document was amended to include “self-mutilation” as the cause of suicide attempt, specifying “lacerations”. But the doctor’s report from just hours after the incident doesn’t mention lacerations at all – in fact it explicitly states none were found – begging the question of why this was written into the official record days later.
Pending investigation for that breach, Epstein was placed in disciplinary confinement away from the “general population,” and refused to be returned there. Meanwhile, officials probed “appropriate candidates” for a new cellmate.
A thorough review was clearly conducted, with one memo noting that other inmates in the Secure Housing Unit were deemed “not appropriate to be housed with Mr. Epstein,” for reasons unstated, although one “notable” prisoner “with a history of sex offenses” was explicitly ruled out “due to his threatening nature.”
After the psychological evaluation found him competent to take part in the disciplinary process, the files record the prison’s brief investigation into the “self-mutilation” charge, on July 30.
A resultant report noted that, “no witnesses [were] requested” and “inmate Epstein had a poor attitude,” refusing to say anything. Despite this, the investigator concluded “the report to be accurate as written and the charge warranted.” The matter was kicked upstairs for “further disposition,” but it appears Epstein died before a final decision on his supposed infraction was taken.
Even more curiously, a classified internal BOP memo notes that the incident report related to self-mutilation was “expunged” – in other words stricken from the record, as if it never happened – five days after Epstein’s death. An official added that it was “unclear why it had been expunged and whether Mr. Epstein knew this.”
This may account for why the entire bizarre episode, in which prison authorities sought to punish the billionaire sex offender for the crime of trying to take his own life, has never hitherto been mentioned by the mainstream media.
Complicating the confused picture even further, on August 14, 2019, four days after his death, the New York Post published a sensational exclusive, claiming that Epstein informed his lawyers Tartaglione “roughed him up,” and this was not only the reason he was discovered out cold in his cell, but why he was removed from suicide watch.
Tartaglione’s lawyer, Bruce Barket, has vigorously disputed this account, suggesting the story was planted in the Post by a prison guard “angry at [Epstein] for complaining at the deplorable conditions at the Metropolitan Correctional Center.” Moreover, Barket records that Epstein and Tartaglione “regularly walked from their cell to the visiting area together,” as their lawyers were on the “same schedule,” and the pair “got along real well.”
“I’d be surprised if they later claimed Nick attacked him, because that’s not what we were told all along,” Barket has declared.
The records released to The Detail make it abundantly clear that Epstein did indeed complain frequently to prison authorities. However, his grievances were fairly routine – a lack of toilet paper, the toilet flushing continuously for 45 minutes, his cellmate talking too much, especially at night. There isn’t the slightest indication he ever felt threatened or in danger, either from inmates or guards.
This may in part result from him being placed for much of his stay with the hulking Tartaglione. A veritable man mountain, he faces the death penalty for allegedly committing a quadruple homicide in furtherance of a conspiracy to sell cocaine – one victim was strangled with a zip tie. He was chosen to bunk with Epstein due to cooperating with authorities in his case, and having much to lose if he committed an infraction of any kind, let alone attacked his cellmate.
Such pally protection may moreover to some degree account for why, in several psychological assessments at the prison in the wake of his apparent suicide attempt, Epstein was a picture of optimism and stability.
One noted the subject was “alert … polite, calm, and cooperative in demeanor,” and explicitly denied “recent and current suicidal ideation, planning, and intent.” He was said to be “future-oriented,” and “expressed a commitment to life and safety, agreeing to contact staff immediately should he experience suicidal ideation or psychological distress.”
“He exhibited a neutral affect with appropriate range. Eye contact and hygiene were appropriate … His thoughts were organized and coherent, with no loosening of associations or tangential, circumstantial, or irrelevant content,” a prison-designated psychologist wrote. “There was no evidence of perceptual disturbance, delusional ideation, or a formal thought disorder. He did not engage in any bizarre or inappropriate behavior.”
Another appraisal spelled out “protective factors” determined from conversations with Epstein, noting he “he denied current suicidal or self-harm thoughts” or “feeling hopeless.”
“He denied fearing for his safety … He stated he lives for and plans to finish this case and to go back to his normal life … His friends and lawyers are emotionally supportive … He is Jewish [and] suicide is against the religion. Overall, his current protective factors override his risk factors for suicidality,” they remarked. “Suicide watch is not warranted at this time.”
Despite this, Epstein was briefly placed on suicide watch, and the documents show detailed accounts were filed every 15 minutes by guards as to his activities – “inmate Epstein is sleeping; inmate Epstein is lying quietly in bed; inmate Epstein is pacing around in his cell,” etcetera. This intensive surveillance was downgraded on July 24, 2019, to the lesser “psychological observation.”
Six days later, Tartaglione was replaced by Efrain Reyes, who was assisting the government in a drug distribution conspiracy case, although on August 9, he too was removed, leaving Epstein alone – in breach of internal procedures, and despite the classified files making clear the urgent need for a new cellmate was communicated between day and evening watch shifts at the jail.
The next day, he was dead. Contemporary news reports noted his associates were “surprised” at the news, as the prolific pedophile “seemed recently to be in good spirits,” leading them to express concern “about the possibility of foul play.”
Regular half-hour checks on the inmate also ceased, contrary to standard procedure, as designated guards Tova Noel and Michael Thomas spent substantial portions of shift at their desk, browsing the internet, and moving around the common area, mere meters away from Epstein’s cell.
Moreover, two cameras in the vicinity apparently malfunctioned, while a third in the adjacent hallway was also corrupted. Some footage in some areas is said to exist, but has not been released publicly. Noel and Thomas subsequently admitted to fabricating log entries, and were charged with lying on prison records.
A serious crime indeed, but on December 13, 2020, the charges were summarily dropped. This wasn’t disclosed publicly until December 30, though – a day after Maxwell was found guilty of recruiting and trafficking young girls for sexual abuse.
Strikingly, in its reporting on the prison’s psychological assessments of Epstein, the New York Times framed the prolific sex offender’s insistence he had no intention whatsoever of committing suicide as a testament to his “life of manipulation,” immense skill at deceiving others, and endless ability to “[create] illusions.”
Are they describing Epstein here or the New York Times?
Another obvious interpretation, apparently unconsidered by America’s purported paper of record, is that his denial of suicidal intentions and hopefulness about the future could well have been sincere – and his death may thus be attributable to external actors and factors unknown.
'I don't give a toss what Prince Andrew feels… he is a horrible,
nasty man':
Duke's ex-maid says she has no regrets about speaking out over his
'demanding and entitled' foul-mouthed rants
By SHEKHAR BHATIA FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 14:10 EST, 21 January 2022
Former Buckingham Palace maid Charlotte Briggs today defended her Prince Andrew revelations and attacked him for being a 'horrible man.'
Ms Briggs, 47, said she had no regrets about speaking out over the Duke's 'demanding and entitled' foul-mouthed rants, which she claimed left her in tears.
Speaking to MailOnline in her hometown of Halifax, West Yorkshire, she said: 'I don't give a toss what Prince Andrew feels… he is a horrible, nasty man.'
She added: 'It has been more than 26 years and I did sign (a privacy agreement) under the official secrets act. But my husband and I saw the TV programme during the week when his teddy bears were mentioned and he said it was a good time for me to speak about what happened to me too.'
The mother of two said she had been criticised in her hometown today after her revelations made front page news.
Charlotte Briggs (pictured), 47, said she had no regrets about speaking out over his 'demanding and entitled' foul-mouthed rants
'When I was in the supermarket someone accused me of cashing in on him, but I'm entitled to speak about what happened to me even though it was so long ago.
'I am not sorry at all. But I have been hurt by some of the remarks against me.'
She said despite the Duke of York's arrogant attitude towards her, she never witnessed or heard of any improper behaviour by him.
The Prince faces a sex abuse trial and details of his angry outbursts are likely to cause him further embarrassment as he prepares to give sworn testimony against claims by Virginia Giuffre. She has accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17 — which he vehemently denies.
Ms Briggs added: 'I just don't care about Prince Andrew after his bad behaviour towards me.'
It comes after she claimed on Thursday that she was 'left in tears' by Andrew's foul-mouth rants, and on one occasion faced his wrath over a tiny gap in his curtains.
Speaking to The Sun, Ms Briggs said the prince yelled at her: 'Can't you f***ing do anything right?' as she ran up and down the stairs to fix the curtains, some of which he was sitting a matter of yards away from.
'This man fought for his country in the Falklands but couldn't stand up to close his own curtains,' she told the newspaper. 'It was utterly ridiculous but spoke volumes about him,' she added.
By comparison, Ms Briggs said that the Duke's brothers Charles and Edward, as well as other royals she encountered during her time at the palace, were 'wonderful'.
She began working at Buckingham Palace in 1996 when she was 21, but within six months was tasked with being Andrew's maid; a job that 'nobody wanted,' she said. At the time, Andrew was 36 and had recently divorced from Sarah Ferguson. He would frequently fly off the handle and expected everything to be done for him.
Ms Briggs, from Halifax, broke her silence to The Sun after Prince Andrew was stripped of his military titles amid a sex assault lawsuit brought by Ms Giuffre in the United States. Ms Giuffre claims she was trafficked by convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to have sex with the prince three times when she was a teenager. The Duke of York vehemently denies the allegations.
Ms Briggs spoke about how Andrew's pillows were embroidered with the Royal Crest, that they had to be right in the centre of his four-poster bed, and that his pyjamas and his teddy bears had to be precisely laid out.
Having moved down from Yorkshire to London, her first six months working at the palace involved cleaning offices. On her first day, Ms Briggs said Prince Edward held the door for her as they took the bins out, but otherwise she didn't encounter many of the royals early on.
That changed when she was asked to be Andrew's maid. No one else wanted to, she said, because of his reputation for tantrums.
Having moved back to the palace after his divorce, the Duke had taken up residence on the 'nursery floor' where he, Prince Charles, Prince Edward and Princess Anne used to play when they were children.
But despite being a grown man who served in the military, he refused to do anything himself, Ms Briggs told the newspaper.
'We'd turn down his bed, remove his teddies, do the curtains and lay out his pyjamas. But he was a bad apple and behaved like a spoiled brat,' she said.
On one occasion, she said he called down from his office for a maid to be sent up to close the curtains in his office, she recalled. For Ms Briggs, this meant putting on her evening dress, going up four flights of stairs to close the curtains Andrew was sitting a matter of feet away from.
As she left the rooms, Ms Briggs said Andrew screamed at her over the fact she had left a small gap at the top, despite the curtains running floor to ceiling.
During her time at Buckingham Palace, she said the other royals treated her well. Prince Edward was kind, she said, and she was even hugged by Nelson Mandela.
At the time, she was paid £600 a month and in 1996, she was even pictured on the royal balcony ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony, according to The Sun. But Andrew, Ms Briggs said, ruined her time at the palace.
She also claimed to The Sun that the prince kept Sarah Ferguson's wedding dress in his wardrobe after they divorced in 1992. The royal couple married at Westminster Abbey in July 1986. The former palace maid also claimed that her makeup was still laid out on his dressing table, suggesting he still held a flame for her, she said.
The revelations about the Duke's outbursts will likely cause him even more embarrassment as he prepares testify against the claims made by Ms Giuffre. It also comes after The Queen - his mother - stripped him of his royal titles, and as he is facing calls to be evicted from the Royal Lodge in Windsor where he currently lives with his ex-wife Ferguson.
MailOnline has approached Buckingham Palace for comment from Prince Andrew regarding Ms Briggs's comments in The Sun.
Ms Briggs' account of Prince Andrews teddy bears is not the first time they have been mentioned. Earlier this week, former palace guard Paul Page claimed that Andrew had a bed with '50 or 60' stuffed toys and maids were given a laminated picture so each bear could carefully be put back in its original position.
The former constable, who left the Metropolitan Police in 2007, was part of the elite Royal Protection Squad and had access to the Duke of York's private residence. His comments came in an ITV documentary: 'Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and the Paedophile' that aired on Monday.
He said: 'It had about 50 or 60 stuffed toys positioned on the bed and basically there was a card the inspector showed us in a drawer and it was a picture of these bears all in situ. 'The reason for the laminated picture was if those bears weren't put back in the right order by the maids, he would shout and scream.'
Writer Elizabeth Day was introduced to Andrew's 'strange' teddy bear collection back in 2019 at Buckingham Palace. She wrote: 'I was told to wait in a corridor where my only other companion was an oversized teddy bear squashed into a seat.
'When I was ushered in to meet Prince Andrew, I asked him about it. He sniggered and told me it had been a wedding gift from his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
A spokesperson for Prince Andrew has refused to comment on Ms Brigg's remarks.
Katie Price is arrested on suspicion of breaching a restraining
order after 'sending abusive message to ex Kieran Hayler's
girlfriend' after she accused him of raping an underage girl
By JACK WRIGHT FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 15:18 EST, 22 January 2022
Katie Price is an English media personality, model and businesswoman
Katie Price has been arrested on suspicion of breaching her restraining order after she allegedly texted her ex-husband Kieran Hayler's fiancee, MailOnline can reveal.
Sussex Police said that a woman in her 40s was arrested at a property in Partridge Green, West Sussex at around 12.15am last night. She has been released under investigation.
A spokesman added a report had been made at 5.45pm on Friday in relation to an alleged breach of a restraining order.
Later on Saturday, Katie Price was seen being driven out of Worthing Police station by her fiancé Carl Woods.
Katie Price (pictured in December) was arrested after she allegedly texted her ex-husband Kieran Hayler's fiancee, MailOnline can exclusively reveal
Price, who lives in 'Mucky Mansion', is banned from contacting Mr Hayler's girlfriend Michelle Penticost under the terms of a five-year restraining order imposed after she verbally abused her in a school playground.
The ex-glamour model, 43, has accused her estranged husband, 34, of grooming and raping an underage girl in 2016 before their divorce two years later.
Mr Hayler, a former stripper, has angrily denied the 'false' allegations' and vowed to co-operate with police.
Price, who lives in ‘Mucky Mansion’ in Partridge Green, is banned from contacting Mr Hayler’s girlfriend Michelle Penticost (pictured with Mr Hayler) under the terms of a five-year restraining order imposed after she was convicted of verbal abuse
'At 5.45pm on Friday (21 January) police responded to a report that a suspect had breached their restraining order,' a force spokesman said.
'Officers arrested a woman in her 40s who has been released under investigation while inquiries continue.'
MailOnline has approached representatives for Price and Mr Hayler for comment.
Mr Hayler's fiancee Miss Penticost, 39, shared a cryptic message on Instagram which read: 'Normal people don't go around destroying other human beings.' She also shared the hashtag 'restrainingorder'.
Price claims that she went to police before the divorce — but suggests that the alleged victim has now come forward herself.
Sussex Police says Mr Hayler has not been arrested and described the alleged victim as a 'girl', who was under the age of 16 in 2016.
A spokesman said: 'We are investigating a report that in 2016 a girl was raped by an adult male known to her at a location in West Sussex.
Price's ex husband Kieran Hayler pictured for the first time since allegations that he assaulted a woman on three occasions in 2016
Police are to question Price's ex-husband Mr Hayler over historic rape allegations relating to another woman they both knew
'No arrest has been made at present. The girl is receiving support from specially trained officers'.
Mr Hayler's spokesman previously told the Mirror: 'Kieran is absolutely devastated by these untrue allegations and has requested to meet the investigating officer as soon as possible to clear his name.
'He is certain that these allegations are false and have been fabricated by a third party in an act of revenge.
'He will fight to clear his name and moreover for those responsible to be brought to justice.'
A source close to Mr Hayler added to The Sun: 'Police have been in touch with Kieran regarding an allegation from 2016, which is believed to have been made by Katie. It relates to someone they knew while they were married.
'Kieran is co-operating and insists he has done nothing wrong — but he's happy to speak to the cops about it.
'He just wants to move on from his marriage to Katie.'
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