Jeffrey Epstein: Questions about the death of the financier

The FBI has opened an official investigation into how US financier Jeffrey Epstein has apparently been able to commit suicide in jail while awaiting trial for prostitution deals.

His body was discovered Saturday in a New York facility.

Last month, Epstein was found semi-conscious in his cell after an alleged suicide attempt.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said it was "far too convenient" that Epstein could not incriminate other people.

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"What many of us want to know, what did he know?" Mr. de Blasio, also a Democratic presidential nomination candidate, told the press in Iowa.


"How many other millionaires and billionaires were part of the illegal activities in which he was engaged?

"Well, this information is not dead with Jeffrey Epstein, we must also investigate."

Theories of conspiracy began to emerge immediately after his death.

Epstein, 66, pleaded not guilty last month and faces charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy. He was currently detained without bail.

His death came a day after the publication of hundreds of pages of court documents revealing new allegations against him and some of his prominent associates.

UNCONSCIOUS

Epstein died shortly after being found unconscious Saturday morning at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, considered one of the safest in the country.

Last month, shortly after being released on bail, Epstein was found in his neck-injured cell and taken to hospital. The prison authorities had investigated a possible suicide attempt.



There are conflicting reports as to whether Epstein was placed under suicide watch as a result of this incident. The New York Times reported that he was under observation, but that he was arrested more than a week before his death.

"How is it that he is not under special protection? What is really happening? I think this is a question to which we must get a full answer," said de Blasio.

In a letter to Attorney General William Barr, Republican Senator Ben Sasse said that "the head must roll".

FAILURE OF JUSTICE

"The Justice Department has failed and today Jeffrey Epstein's co-conspirators believe they may have signed a final deal," he said.

"All the people from the Ministry of Justice - from the headquarters staff to the night jailer - knew that this man was at risk of suicide and that his secret secrets could not be allowed to die with him," he added. .

The Attorney General stated that there were "serious questions to be answered". Barr added that he was "dismayed" by the announcement of Epstein's death and said that the Justice Department had opened its own investigation.