Doctor Present at Jeffrey Epstein's Autopsy Calls for Death to Be Re-examined
Disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019, took his own life, according to the New York Medical Examiner’s Office. However, a doctor who observed the post-mortem examination is now urging a reinvestigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Pathologist Raises Doubts Over Official Findings
Dr Michael Baden, a pathologist hired by Epstein’s estate, was present during the autopsy but did not perform it himself. He attended as an observer representing Epstein’s family. In a recent statement, Dr Baden expressed skepticism about the official conclusion that Epstein died by hanging. "My opinion is that his death was most likely caused by strangulation pressure rather than hanging," he said. "Given all the information now available, further investigation into the cause and manner of death is warranted."
Dr Baden clarified that during the autopsy, both he and the medical examiner agreed more information was needed to determine the cause and manner of death based on the initial report. Since then, millions of files from the United States Department of Justice investigation into Epstein have been released, raising additional questions.
Surveillance Footage and Released Files Fuel Speculation
Among the materials made public is surveillance footage from the night Epstein died. This footage appears to have a minute missing, a gap that some speculate could have allowed a potential killer to enter his cell. In another clip, an orange "ash" is seen moving toward his cell door, which some interpret as a person in orange prison overalls, possibly an assailant.
A redacted version of Epstein’s post-mortem report was released in December as part of the initial publication of the so-called Epstein files. In this document, the child sex offender’s "manner of death" is listed as "pending," with boxes for both suicide and homicide left blank. Dr Baden has stated that his own professional findings following the autopsy on August 11, 2019, were "inconclusive."
Controversy Over Medical Examiner's Ruling
Dr Baden alleges that five days after Epstein’s death certificate was published pending further investigation, this decision was "superseded" by Dr Barbara Sampson, New York’s then-chief medical examiner. She ruled that Epstein’s death was by hanging and the manner was suicide. Notably, Dr Sampson was not present during the post-mortem examination, according to Dr Baden.
Dr Sampson has publicly dismissed Dr Baden’s claims that the evidence suggested strangulation, stating at the time that she stands "firmly" behind her finding. Despite this, Dr Baden continues to argue that further examination is necessary, highlighting ongoing debates and public interest in the case.
The release of extensive documents and surveillance materials has only intensified scrutiny, with many calling for transparency and a thorough re-evaluation of Epstein’s death to address lingering uncertainties and conspiracy theories.
