Jeffrey Epstein Reportedly Dies By Suicide in Manhattan Jail
Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire financier accused of multiple counts of sexual abuse of minors and running a sex trafficking ring, reportedly committed suicide at Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan on Saturday morning, according to multiple reports.
Epstein, 66, was arrested on July 6 on charges that he sexually abused and trafficked underage girls in the early 2000s. He was accused of using his fortune to “create a vast network of underage victims for him to sexually exploit.” According to the indictment, Epstein recruited “dozens of minor girls to engage in sex acts with him,” paying them hundreds of dollars. Court documents allege that Epstein also paid girls to recruit others, many of whom were as young as 14.
He faced 45 years in prison and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Last month, a week after being denied bail, Epstein was found unconscious in his cell with marks on his neck. At the time, officials were investigating it as a possible suicide attempt.
On Friday, a federal appeals court released a cache of previously sealed documents, which revealed disturbing new details about Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking ring. The expansive set of documents included depositions, police incident reports, photographs, as well as a memoir written by a woman who was allegedly one of Epstein’s victims.
If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text HOME to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.
Originally Appeared on Vogue
