A federal judge has unsealed what is alleged to be convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's suicide note, releasing the document to the public on Wednesday, May 6, following a court order request by the New York Times. The handwritten message, scrawled on lined paper in nearly illegible handwriting, has raised questions about its authenticity and the circumstances surrounding Epstein's death.
The brief note contains several cryptic statements. "They investigated for month — found nothing!!!" the message reads. "So 16 year old charge results!" The writing continues with what appears to be a reflection on mortality: "It is a treat to be able to choose one's time to say goodbye."
The final lines of the alleged note state: "Watcha want me to do — burst out crying!! NO FUN — not worth it!!" Notably, the document bears no signature, and according to CNN, the Justice Department has indicated it does not know whether the purported note is legitimate. The unverified document was allegedly discovered by Epstein's former cellmate.
Epstein was convicted in a Florida court of procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting prostitution in 2008. He served 13 months in prison and was required to register as a sex offender. More than a decade later, Epstein found himself back behind bars, this time awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. While imprisoned at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City, he died by suicide at age 66.
The release of this alleged suicide note occurs amid heightened public interest in the Epstein Files. Last year, Congress passed The Epstein Files Transparency Act, prompting the Department of Justice to begin releasing thousands of documents related to the FBI's investigation into the disgraced billionaire in December 2025.
The files have revealed Epstein's personal correspondence with numerous prominent world figures, including Bill Gates and Prince Andrew. Earlier this year, Gates, 70, publicly addressed his connection to Epstein and expressed remorse for the association.
"It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein," Gates stated in February during a Gates Foundation company town hall, according to a recording obtained by The Wall Street Journal. "I apologize to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made."
The unsealing of this alleged suicide note adds another layer to the ongoing scrutiny of Epstein's crimes, his connections to powerful individuals, and the circumstances of his death. As the Justice Department continues to release documents related to the FBI investigation, the public may gain further insight into one of the most notorious criminal cases in recent history.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

About the Author
South Jersey NewsBeat
South Jersey NewsBeat is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.









