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Jeffrey Epstein: Financier found dead in New York prison cell | Jeffrey Epstein: Financier found dead in New York prison cell |
(about 2 hours later) | |
US financier Jeffrey Epstein has been found dead in his prison cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. | US financier Jeffrey Epstein has been found dead in his prison cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. |
His body was discovered at 06:30 local time (10:30 GMT) on Saturday at a facility in New York. | His body was discovered at 06:30 local time (10:30 GMT) on Saturday at a facility in New York. |
Officials said his death was an apparent suicide. The FBI is investigating the incident. | Officials said his death was an apparent suicide. The FBI is investigating the incident. |
Epstein, 66, pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and conspiracy charges last month and was being held without bail. | Epstein, 66, pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and conspiracy charges last month and was being held without bail. |
"[He] was found unresponsive in his cell in the Special Housing Unit from an apparent suicide," a statement from the justice department said. | "[He] was found unresponsive in his cell in the Special Housing Unit from an apparent suicide," a statement from the justice department said. |
"Mr Epstein was transported... to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries, and subsequently pronounced dead," the statement added. | "Mr Epstein was transported... to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries, and subsequently pronounced dead," the statement added. |
Last month, shortly after he was denied bail, Epstein was found semi-conscious in his cell with injuries to his neck. He was treated at a nearby hospital, reports said, before being returned to the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. | |
The facility is widely considered to be one of the most secure in the country. | The facility is widely considered to be one of the most secure in the country. |
There are conflicting reports as to whether Epstein was placed on suicide watch following this incident, which prison officials had been investigating as a possible suicide attempt. | |
But US media report that he was not on suicide watch at the time of his death. | |
Attorney General William Barr said he was "appalled" by news of Epstein's death. "[It] raises serious questions that must be answered," he said in a statement, adding that the justice department had opened its own investigation. | |
Epstein's death comes a day after hundreds of pages of court documents were released that revealed new allegations against him and some of his associates. | Epstein's death comes a day after hundreds of pages of court documents were released that revealed new allegations against him and some of his associates. |
What was he charged with? | What was he charged with? |
Epstein was accused of paying girls under the age of 18 to perform sex acts at his Manhattan and Florida mansions between 2002 and 2005. | Epstein was accused of paying girls under the age of 18 to perform sex acts at his Manhattan and Florida mansions between 2002 and 2005. |
He was arrested on 6 July after landing in New Jersey on his private jet. He avoided similar charges in a controversial secret plea deal in 2008, and instead pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. | He was arrested on 6 July after landing in New Jersey on his private jet. He avoided similar charges in a controversial secret plea deal in 2008, and instead pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. |
That plea deal was closely scrutinised in recent weeks and, last month, US Labor Secretary Alex Acosta resigned over his role in it. | That plea deal was closely scrutinised in recent weeks and, last month, US Labor Secretary Alex Acosta resigned over his role in it. |
Prosecutors also accused Epstein of paying large amounts of money to two potential witnesses ahead of his trial, which was scheduled to take place next year. | Prosecutors also accused Epstein of paying large amounts of money to two potential witnesses ahead of his trial, which was scheduled to take place next year. |
He faced up to 45 years in prison if convicted. | He faced up to 45 years in prison if convicted. |
Who was Jeffrey Epstein? | Who was Jeffrey Epstein? |
New York-born Epstein worked as a teacher before moving into finance. | New York-born Epstein worked as a teacher before moving into finance. |
Prior to the criminal cases against him, he was best known for his wealth and high-profile connections. | Prior to the criminal cases against him, he was best known for his wealth and high-profile connections. |
He was often seen socialising with the rich and powerful, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton and the UK's Prince Andrew. | He was often seen socialising with the rich and powerful, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton and the UK's Prince Andrew. |
In a 2002 profile in New York Magazine, Mr Trump referred to Epstein as a "terrific guy". | In a 2002 profile in New York Magazine, Mr Trump referred to Epstein as a "terrific guy". |
But he later said the pair fell out "12 or 15 years ago" and reiterated last month that he was "not a fan of Jeffrey Epstein". | But he later said the pair fell out "12 or 15 years ago" and reiterated last month that he was "not a fan of Jeffrey Epstein". |
Reports of Epstein's wealth vary, with his Virgin Islands-based firm generating no public records. | Reports of Epstein's wealth vary, with his Virgin Islands-based firm generating no public records. |
History of the allegations | History of the allegations |
2002: The earliest allegations of abuse covered by the recent case take place. | 2002: The earliest allegations of abuse covered by the recent case take place. |
October 2002: Donald Trump tells New York magazine he has known Epstein for 15 years, and that he is a "terrific guy.... it is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side". | October 2002: Donald Trump tells New York magazine he has known Epstein for 15 years, and that he is a "terrific guy.... it is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side". |
2005: One of Epstein's alleged victims, aged 14, reports him to the police in Palm Beach - sparking the first investigation. | 2005: One of Epstein's alleged victims, aged 14, reports him to the police in Palm Beach - sparking the first investigation. |
May 2006: Epstein is charged with unlawful sex acts with a minor. Later in the year, the case is referred to the FBI. | May 2006: Epstein is charged with unlawful sex acts with a minor. Later in the year, the case is referred to the FBI. |
2007: A plea deal is struck with Alex Acosta, the US attorney in Florida. Instead of facing federal sex-trafficking charges, he pleads guilty to two charges of soliciting prostitution, including with a minor. | 2007: A plea deal is struck with Alex Acosta, the US attorney in Florida. Instead of facing federal sex-trafficking charges, he pleads guilty to two charges of soliciting prostitution, including with a minor. |
June 2008: Epstein is sentenced to 13 months in prison - a private wing of a county jail. He is also allowed to leave for work - up to 12 hours a day, six days a week. He does, however, have to register as a sex offender. | June 2008: Epstein is sentenced to 13 months in prison - a private wing of a county jail. He is also allowed to leave for work - up to 12 hours a day, six days a week. He does, however, have to register as a sex offender. |
April 2017: Alex Acosta is appointed labor secretary by now-President Donald Trump. | April 2017: Alex Acosta is appointed labor secretary by now-President Donald Trump. |
November 2018: The Miami Herald publishes its explosive investigation into Epstein, the plea deal, and the dozens of women alleging abuse. | November 2018: The Miami Herald publishes its explosive investigation into Epstein, the plea deal, and the dozens of women alleging abuse. |
July 2019: Epstein is arrested on new sex-trafficking charges, which he denied. Alex Acosta resigns. | July 2019: Epstein is arrested on new sex-trafficking charges, which he denied. Alex Acosta resigns. |