Reports have emerged today that Jeffrey Epstein, the wealthy financier who was accused of sex trafficking, has died by suicide in prison.
ABC News reporter Julia Macfarlane broke the story just before 2pm today on Twitter, claiming three law enforcement officials had confirmed the news to them directly.
Epstein was being held in a federal state lockup at Metroplotan Correctional Center Manhattan, pending the federal sex trafficking charges that he’d pleaded not guilty to.
Just yesterday, unsealed documents revealed the abuse he was alleged to have committed against young women at his multiple homes across the US and the Virgin Islands.
He was originally convicted of soliciting prostitution from girls as young as 14 in June 2008 and sentenced to 18 months jail, of which he served 13 months and a year on probation.
Following his most recent arrest for sex trafficking, Epstein was found injured on the floor of his cell, although it was not confirmed whether the injuries were self inflicted or otherwise.
From there, he was on 24-hour suicide watch, and although a number of news outlets have stated he died by suicide, the official cause of death has yet to be announced.
The 66-year-old initially worked as a physics and mathematics teacher at a prep school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
After becoming acquainted with Alan Greenberg, the parent of a child at the school at CEO of investment bank Bear Stearns, he was offered a job in banking.
By 1980 he was a limited partner, but departed the company in 1981 before founding his own consulting firm. Other consulting roles followed, including for Tower Financial Corporation, which was later accused of being a Ponzi scheme.
From there, Epstein continued to work in financial services, including asset management and hedge fund management.
Epstein has long been linked to a number of high-profile figures, and was associated with publishing heir Ghislaine Maxwell for many years, as well as being acquainted with the likes of Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump.
Although he was a very wealthy man, Forbes have disputed the fact that he was actually a billionaire.
He had a number of homes, which were alleged to be sites where abuse took place.
When Epstein was originally arrested in 2008, his 18 month sentence caused controversy due to the fact he was allowed to spend up to twelve hours a day, six days a week, on ‘work release’ outside of jail. He was also allowed access to a private room with a television, and allowed to use his own driver to go to and from the prison.
As well as the federal cases brought against Epstein, there were a number of civil cases. One woman accused the financier of ‘being recruited’ aged 16 to massage him, and being paid $200 for sexual intercourse.
Another claimed that he was running a ‘sexual abuse ring’ that involved a number of ‘prominent American politicians, powerful business executives, foreign presidents, a well-known prime minister, and other world leaders’.
It’s thought that if Epstein was convicted of his more recent federal charges, he may have faced up to 45 years in prison.
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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