Recent revelations from the Department of Justice have brought new scrutiny to the circumstances surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s death. Investigators have uncovered surveillance footage from the Metropolitan Correctional Center that records an orange-colored figure moving up the staircase toward Epstein’s cell approximately at 10:39 p.m. on August 9, 2019.
Key Details of the Footage
The observation log indicates that a “flash of orange” was seen ascending the L Tier stairs, suggesting it could be an inmate or a corrections officer. The FBI and Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General provided differing analyses of the video footage. The FBI suggested the figure may be an inmate, while the inspector general’s report stated it could be an officer carrying inmate linens.
- Time of Sighting: 10:39 p.m. on August 9, 2019
- Location: L Tier staircase, Metropolitan Correctional Center
- Official Time of Death: Between the night of August 9 and 6:30 a.m. on August 10, 2019
Authorities initially announced Epstein had died by suicide, yet no precise time of death has ever been established. Questions remain regarding the activity around his cell on the night he died.
Contradictions in Investigations
Investigators have scrutinized the video and noted that the identified figure has not been mentioned in official reports. Former Attorney General Bill Barr stated that no one entered Epstein’s cell tier that night, complicating the narrative surrounding his death.
Witness Accounts and Officer Statements
Prison staff interviews revealed unusual circumstances that night. Two corrections officers, Tova Noel and Ghitto Bonhomme, were on duty. Records suggest Bonhomme might have fallen asleep during his shift. Investigators noted a peculiar drop in inmate count, from 73 to 72, between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.
- Bonhomme’s Claim: He has no recollection of the time between 10 p.m. and midnight.
- Noel’s Remarks: She emphasized that distributing linens was not part of her responsibilities.
Delayed Discovery and Legal Consequences
Bonhomme ended his shift at midnight, replaced by Michael Thomas, who discovered Epstein’s body just after 6:30 a.m. Investigators raised alarms because counts of inmates and ad-hoc checks on Epstein were neglected. Eventually, both Noel and Thomas were charged with falsifying records but later avoided prosecution.
Unclear Circumstances of Epstein’s Death
The medical examiner’s office reviewed the surveillance footage shortly after the incident and deemed it too blurry for identification. Epstein was declared dead by suicide, but forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden indicated that Epstein might have been dead for hours before discovery, further complicating understanding of his death.
As investigations continue into the orange figure’s identity and other related anomalies, public interest remains high regarding how these details might influence the narrative of Epstein’s demise.
