Did Epstein die a day before he was officially pronounced dead? New DOJ files raise questions

New DOJ files: Was Epstein pronounced dead before he was found?

• A DOJ statement on Epstein's death was dated before he was officially found dead
• Prison failures: missed guard checks, faulty surveillance cameras
• Footage shows unidentified figure near Epstein's cell before his death.

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A US government statement announcing the death of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has surfaced in newly released Justice Department files with a date that appears to precede the time he was officially found dead inside his New York prison cell, once again fuelling questions around the circumstances of his death.

The document, issued by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and dated Friday, August 9, 2019, states that Epstein had already been found unresponsive and pronounced dead. However, official prison records show that Epstein was discovered unresponsive only on the morning of August 10 at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan.

In the statement, then Manhattan US Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said, “Earlier this morning, the Manhattan Correctional Center confirmed that Jeffrey Epstein… had been found unresponsive in his cell and pronounced dead shortly thereafter.”

He added, “Today’s events are disturbing… To those brave young women who have already come forward… we remain committed to standing for you.”

Epstein, 66, had been in federal custody since July 6, 2019, after being charged with sex trafficking minors and conspiracy. He pleaded not guilty and was awaiting trial at the time of his death.

According to official accounts, a corrections officer discovered Epstein unresponsive shortly after 6:30 am on August 10 while delivering breakfast. Medical personnel attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead soon afterward. The New York City medical examiner later ruled his death a suicide by hanging.

Subsequent investigations revealed multiple failures inside the prison. Records show guards failed to carry out mandatory checks during the overnight hours, missing scheduled rounds at 3 am and 5 am. Surveillance cameras outside Epstein’s cell were also not functioning properly, with at least two cameras malfunctioning and leaving significant gaps in monitoring.

Because of these failures, investigators were unable to establish a precise timeline of Epstein’s final moments, and no exact official time of death has been determined.

Newly released DOJ files also include surveillance observations reviewed after Epstein’s death. Investigators from the FBI and the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General noted footage showing what appeared to be an unidentified figure moving toward the floor where Epstein was housed.

The footage reportedly showed an orange-coloured shape ascending a staircase near Epstein’s housing unit during the overnight hours. Investigators did not determine whether the figure had any connection to Epstein or his death, citing camera malfunctions and limited visibility.

Epstein’s death brought an abrupt end to one of the most high-profile federal criminal cases in recent years. Prosecutors had accused him of running a long-term sex trafficking operation involving underage girls across multiple locations.

While the case against Epstein ended with his death, federal authorities have said investigations into possible co-conspirators continued.