U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas released a document alleged to be the suicide note of Jeffrey Epstein on Oct. 20, 2023 [1].
The release of the document provides a rare glimpse into the final moments of the convicted sex offender, whose death in federal custody sparked global scrutiny and enduring conspiracy theories.
The unsealing occurred in White Plains, New York [1, 2]. The New York Times petitioned the court to make the document public after a former cellmate of Epstein described the contents of the note [3, 4].
According to the released document, the note reads, “No fun” [1]. Judge Kenneth Karas said he ordered the release of the note to provide transparency regarding the circumstances of Epstein's death [2].
While the court filing focuses on the brief text of the note, the document has since been the subject of various media interpretations. A segment from The Daily Show highlighted the brevity of the phrase, though the show included unrelated comedic commentary regarding former President Donald Trump and autocorrect [5].
The release of the note follows years of legal battles and public demand for information regarding the failures of the federal prison system that allowed Epstein to die by suicide. The brevity of the message, only two words, contrasts with the complexity of the legal cases and the extensive nature of the crimes Epstein committed against minors.
“The note reads, “No fun.””
The release of this document underscores the ongoing legal and public effort to resolve the narrative surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's death. By unsealing the note, the court provides a primary piece of evidence that may either support the official finding of suicide or fuel further debate over the authenticity of the evidence provided by the Bureau of Prisons.
