Jeffrey Epstein Dead of (air-quote) Suicide (end air-quote)

 

Jeffrey Epstein, the alleged sex trafficker with a who’s-who list of rich, powerful friends, died Saturday. He was found in his cell at about 6:30 a.m. and authorities claim it was “suicide.” Whether they made air quotes when saying that word is unknown.

Bill Clinton, former Sen. George Mitchell, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, attorney Alan Dershowitz, Britain’s Prince Andrew, and many more figures from international business and politics have been connected with the reclusive financier. Thousands of pages of Epstein documents were unsealed Friday.

“Mr. Epstein’s death raises serious questions that must be answered,” Attorney General William Barr said. “In addition to the FBI’s investigation, I have consulted with the Inspector General who is opening an investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Epstein’s death.”

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman called Epstein’s death “disturbing” and Rep. Jackie Speier (D–CA) called for a federal investigation.

“Jeffrey Epstein was a serial child molester who evaded accountability because he was rich, powerful, and well-connected,” Speier said. “His suicide doesn’t change that. We need answers as to how this could have happened. Most importantly, we need justice for his victims.”

In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to “soliciting and procuring” an underage person for “prostitution.” One of the prosecutors in that case was President Trump’s future secretary of labor, Alex Acosta. Public outcry forced Acosta’s resignation last month.

Many Democrats have attempted to tie Trump to Epstein due to decades-old interactions, but Trump repeatedly denounced the financier many years ago and had banned him from Trump’s Mar a Lago property.

The question remains how on earth a high-profile suspect like Epstein would be able to commit suicide in a heavily guarded federal facility. He was previously on suicide watch, but for some reason was recently removed from this status despite a reported previous attempt.

Not to wax conspiratorial, but does this stink to anyone else?

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  1. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Yep

    • #1
  2. Cato Rand Inactive
    Cato Rand
    @CatoRand

    I wouldn’t get conspiratorial.  I don’t know what they can do with a suicide watch but if I were Jeffrey Epstein I’d probably want to kill myself too.  He didn’t have much of a future.  I certainly think it should be investigated, along with the rest of his crimes and who else was involved in them.  I just don’t think we should jump to conspiracy theories.

    • #2
  3. Zed11 Inactive
    Zed11
    @Zed11

    Seems legit.

    • #3
  4. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    I think this no longer qualifies as a conspiracy theory.

    • #4
  5. Basil Fawlty Member
    Basil Fawlty
    @BasilFawlty

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: The question remains how on earth a high-profile suspect like Epstein would be able to commit suicide in a heavily guarded federal facility.

    With great difficulty.

    • #5
  6. Steven Seward Member
    Steven Seward
    @StevenSeward

    Sounds suspicious, but until we know anything more it is hard to make a conclusion.  Do we even know how  he died?

    • #6
  7. Jimmy Carter Member
    Jimmy Carter
    @JimmyCarter

    They’re not wrong. The officials stated:

    “Epstein’s now on; suicide. Watch.” 

    • #7
  8. Jon Gabriel, Ed. Contributor
    Jon Gabriel, Ed.
    @jon

    A lot of people go straight to the Clinton connection, a favorite source of conspiratorial wonderings, but I’m thinking of who knows how many reclusive billionaires, third-world potentates, etc., who were in Epstein’s little black book.

    Being an Occam’s Razor fanboy, it’s most likely that this scumbag offed himself. But if he did, it was due to criminially poor oversight by prison authorities that should result in a lot of firings. Every proven fact surrounding Epstein’s case seems like an overwrought conspiracy theory. I don’t believe it’s too far-fetched to wonder if his death is similarly odd.

    • #8
  9. Basil Fawlty Member
    Basil Fawlty
    @BasilFawlty

    Jon Gabriel, Ed. (View Comment):
    Being an Occam’s Razor fanboy, it’s most likely that this scumbag offed himself.

    You mean he slit his wrists?

    • #9
  10. Judge Mental Member
    Judge Mental
    @JudgeMental

    If the last thirty years have taught us anything, it’s that even if there is video of Bill and Hillary hanging him in his cell, they won’t be charged.

    • #10
  11. Scott Wilmot Member
    Scott Wilmot
    @ScottWilmot

    It is hard to label much of the commentary on his death funny, but this tweet is pretty good.

    Dude was messed up. May God have mercy on his soul.

    • #11
  12. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    I am the opposite of a grassy-knoll type. (Yes, I am convinced Oswald acted alone.) I am willing to believe Epstein killed himself, but I’d like to think his death will be investigated unto microscopic levels. And his life, too. But I’m not holding my breath.

    See, I’m not conspiratorially minded. Just a touch cynical.

     

    • #12
  13. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    To quote the Church Lady, “how conveeeenient!”

    Steve Hayward notes:

    Attorney General Barr is asking for an FBI investigation and and Inspector General investigation. Why an IG investigation, too? Maybe he doesn’t trust the Clinton-friendly FBI? (On the other hand, if this IG report takes as long as most of them do to finish, we’ll be dead from global warming before we see it.)

    Oh, by the way, this is the same FBI and DOJ we are supposed to trust on “sensible gun legislation.” No. Thank you. No.

    • #13
  14. Belt Inactive
    Belt
    @Belt

    It’s easy to assume that your enemies are culpable just because they were involved, but many many people were involved as well, and there are a host of people who stand to gain from this.  So let’s hold off on the Clinton theories until we get actual facts.  I’m going to assume suicide unless something extraordinary shows up.

    One thing that irks me is they should have had this guy locked down and everything absolutely by the letter.  The slightest hiccup would be fodder for conspiracy nuts if anything did happen to him.  And lo, it did.

    But a big aspect of this story, to me, is how it exposes the immediate lack of trust in the institutions that are supposed to be managing this fiasco.  Every single aspect of this story from day one just stinks.  My hopes for any measure of temporal justice are pretty slim.

     

    • #14
  15. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    Belt (View Comment):
    So let’s hold off on the Clinton theories until we get actual facts.

    Most of the cries of “The Clintons did it!” that I’ve seen are in jest, tongue firmly in cheek. I know there are people who are serious about that, but surely it is a small number of yahoos.

    • #15
  16. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Jon Gabriel, Ed. (View Comment):
    Being an Occam’s Razor fanboy, it’s most likely that this scumbag offed himself. But if he did, it was due to criminially poor oversight by prison authorities that should result in a lot of firings.

    It would be easier to resurrect Epstein than it would be to fire a Federal employee.

    • #16
  17. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Jon Gabriel, Ed. (View Comment):

    A lot of people go straight to the Clinton connection, a favorite source of conspiratorial wonderings, but I’m thinking of who knows how many reclusive billionaires, third-world potentates, etc., who were in Epstein’s little black book.

    Being an Occam’s Razor fanboy, it’s most likely that this scumbag offed himself. But if he did, it was due to criminially poor oversight by prison authorities that should result in a lot of firings. Every proven fact surrounding Epstein’s case seems like an overwrought conspiracy theory. I don’t believe it’s too far-fetched to wonder if his death is similarly odd.

    A lot of firings?  Wouldn’t that tend to let in the sunlight?    

    • #17
  18. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Belt (View Comment):
    So let’s hold off on the Clinton theories until we get actual facts.

    Most of the cries of “The Clintons did it!” that I’ve seen are in jest, tongue firmly in cheek. I know there are people who are serious about that, but surely it is a small number of yahoos.

    No.  It is not in jest.  It is in very serious earnestness.  

     

    • #18
  19. Belt Inactive
    Belt
    @Belt

    BTW, the alt-Right is apparently now designating Bob Barr as some sort of deep state operative who’s working against Trump.  When did that become a thing?

    • #19
  20. Judge Mental Member
    Judge Mental
    @JudgeMental

    Belt (View Comment):

    BTW, the alt-Right is apparently now designating Bob Barr as some sort of deep state operative who’s working against Trump. When did that become a thing?

    Could have been when he decided not to prosecute Comey.

    • #20
  21. WI Con Member
    WI Con
    @WICon

    Let’s see what happen with/to all that blackmail evidence Epstein was reported to have and if any prosecutions/indictments of the ‘Moneyed Elite’ – “some of our Favorites” as Nancy Pelosi’s daughter but it, ever see light of day. That should be a major indication.

    I’m betting all that evidence goes the way of the 33,000 deleted emails, DNC Servers, IRS-Tea Party Investigation…

    • #21
  22. Old Bathos Member
    Old Bathos
    @OldBathos

    I would like to State for the record that neither I or any member of my family has any information, documents or material evidence of any kind that suggests much less proves that former President William J. Clinton or his highly regarded wife, the former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have engaged in any conduct of an improper or illegal nature.

    Furthermore, the unfortunate death of Mr. Epstein allows us to close this ugly chapter in which so many prominent men were falsely alleged to have done sordid things with underage females. I, of course never believed such things and here again emphasize that I have no knowledge or potential evidence to the contrary and nether does any member of my family.

    • #22
  23. James Gawron Inactive
    James Gawron
    @JamesGawron

    Jon,

    So Epstein is on video 24/7 with or without suicide watch. So the video should show one of three things. One, he kills himself, two, someone comes into his cell and kills him, or three, the video goes dead for a minute or two and then Epstein’s dead. You’d think this would narrow the speculation down. One, it’s suicide, two it’s a conspiracy murder, or three it’s 99.9999% likely to be a conspiracy murder.

    Of course, the video file could disappear. Why does this last possibility seem likely to me even though it hasn’t happened yet? Texas Democrat Congressman Al Green this morning on Cavuto demanded that the video be released. This too is odd because never once before have I agreed with Al Green about anything.

    Regards,

    Jim

    • #23
  24. Old Bathos Member
    Old Bathos
    @OldBathos

    James Gawron (View Comment):

    Jon,

    So Epstein is on video 24/7 with or without suicide watch. So the video should show one of three things. One, he kills himself, two, someone comes into his cell and kills him, or three, the video goes dead for a minute or two and then Epstein’s dead. You’d think this would narrow the speculation down. One, it’s suicide, two it’s a conspiracy murder, or three it’s 99.9999% likely to be a conspiracy murder.

    Of course, the video file could disappear. Why does this last possibility seem likely to me even though it hasn’t happened yet? Texas Democrat Congressman Al Green this morning on Cavuto demanded that the video be released. This too is odd because never once before have I agreed with Al Green about anything.

    Regards,

    Jim

    I thought the cause of death was heart failure. Lots of ways to induce that that would not necessarily show up on video.

    But let me state that I have no direct knowledge about this event or anything that might implicate any prominent persons such as former President Clinton not does any member of my family.

    • #24
  25. James Gawron Inactive
    James Gawron
    @JamesGawron

    Old Bathos (View Comment):

    James Gawron (View Comment):

    Jon,

    So Epstein is on video 24/7 with or without suicide watch. So the video should show one of three things. One, he kills himself, two, someone comes into his cell and kills him, or three, the video goes dead for a minute or two and then Epstein’s dead. You’d think this would narrow the speculation down. One, it’s suicide, two it’s a conspiracy murder, or three it’s 99.9999% likely to be a conspiracy murder.

    Of course, the video file could disappear. Why does this last possibility seem likely to me even though it hasn’t happened yet? Texas Democrat Congressman Al Green this morning on Cavuto demanded that the video be released. This too is odd because never once before have I agreed with Al Green about anything.

    Regards,

    Jim

    I thought the cause of death was heart failure. Lots of ways to induce that that would not necessarily show up on video.

    But let me state that I have no direct knowledge about this event or anything that might implicate any prominent persons such as former President Clinton not does any member of my family.

    OldB,

    ditto

    Regards,

    Jim

    • #25
  26. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

     

    Not so funny now eh?

    • #26
  27. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Kozak (View Comment):

     

    Not so funny now eh?

    When the news came that Vince Foster died (on the way home from a Twins-Tigers game, the last time I was in old Tiger stadium) I sort of felt sorry for the Clintons. Then Bill went on the news, almost before the body had reached ambient temperature, saying, “We may never know…”  At that point the hair rose on the back of my neck, and I never thought the same of the Clintons again. I don’t have any reason to believe the Clintons killed him, or even had him killed, but trotting out that “we may never know” line before there was even time to do an investigation indicated that he had something to hide.   

    • #27
  28. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: The question remains how on earth a high-profile suspect like Epstein would be able to commit suicide in a heavily guarded federal facility.

    Are you under the impression that everything run by the federal government is managed with competence?

    • #28
  29. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: The question remains how on earth a high-profile suspect like Epstein would be able to commit suicide in a heavily guarded federal facility.

    Are you under the impression that everything run by the federal government is managed with competence?

    I don’t think the question implies any such impression.  The question remains: “how.”  The answers should be cross-checked and examined. Incompetence is very much a possibility, but we still need to know “how” it happened this time. If we had reporters who knew how to ask questions, this wouldn’t need to be complicated and wouldn’t need to give rise to unwarranted speculation. 

    • #29
  30. Old Bathos Member
    Old Bathos
    @OldBathos

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Kozak (View Comment):

     

    Not so funny now eh?

    When the news came that Vince Foster died (on the way home from a Twins-Tigers game, the last time I was in old Tiger stadium) I sort of felt sorry for the Clintons. Then Bill went on the news, almost before the body had reached ambient temperature, saying, “We may never know…” At that point the hair rose on the back of my neck, and I never thought the same of the Clintons again. I don’t have any reason to believe the Clintons killed him, or even had him killed, but trotting out that “we may never know” line before there was even time to do an investigation indicated that he had something to hide.

    The belligerence of White House counsel toward DC police looking for evidence of motive that night was not reassuring. But I am, of course, satisfied with the finding that Vince Foster did in fact move his own body after the suicide.

    • #30
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