Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Jeffrey Epstein: ‘Shrieking and yelling heard from cell’ on day of alleged sex trafficker’s death

Claim comes after prison blasted for ‘serious irregularities’

Jon Sharman
Tuesday 13 August 2019 15:50 BST
Comments
Kellyanne Conway defends Trump sharing baseless Epstein conspiracy theory

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Shrieking and yelling were heard coming from Jeffrey Epstein‘s cell on the morning of his death, it has been reported.

People nearby heard a commotion characterised as shouting, shrieking and yelling in a report by CBS News.

The broadcaster cited unnamed sources, who added that guards at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre (MCC) in New York had tried to revive the alleged sex trafficker.

“Breathe, Epstein, breathe,” they were reported as having said during the effort.

It came as pressure mounted on prison authorities in the wake of Epstein’s apparent suicide on Saturday.

Jerrold Nadler, the Democratic chairman of the House judiciary committee, sent a scathing letter to the acting director of federal prisons, complaining that the “competency and rigour of our criminal justice system has been marred”.

Along with other politicians he demanded answers from Hugh Hurwitz on the prison’s suicide-prevention policies, information on the guards on duty and whether video cameras were in use.

On Monday, Donald Trump‘s attorney general said he was angry and appalled to have learned of Epstein’s death and blasted the MCC for “serious irregularities”.

William Barr added that the investigation into Epstein’s alleged sex-trafficking activities would continue and that “any co-conspirators should not rest easy”.

MCC has also been criticised for low staffing levels and failing to make regular checks on Epstein, according to an official who was not authorised to speak on the matter.

Mr Barr has asked the Justice Department’s internal watchdog to investigate Epstein’s death.

The former financier was already a registered sex offender, having pleaded guilty in 2008 to Florida state charges of unlawfully paying a teenage girl for sex.

Additional reporting by agencies

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in