Metropolitan Correctional Center - Epstein Death Investigation Summary

The investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's death at the MCC revealed a cascading series of failures. Guards Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, assigned to check on Epstein every 30 minutes, instead slept and browsed the internet for approximately 3 hours. CCTV cameras in the area of Epstein's cell malfunctioned or produced unusable footage. Epstein had been removed from suicide watch just 12 days before his death, despite a previous incident on July 23 where he was found with marks on his neck. His cellmate was transferred out the day before his death, leaving him alone. The NYC medical examiner ruled the death a suicide by hanging. However, forensic pathologist Michael Baden, hired by the Epstein family, stated that the evidence was more consistent with homicidal strangulation. The two guards were charged with falsifying records but later entered a deferred prosecution agreement.