Surveillance video that showed the area around the cell of disgraced billionaire and accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein during his initial suicide attempt has been located, federal prosecutors told a judge on Thursday, according to a report from CNBC. The footage was requested by lawyers for Epstein's former cellmate at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) jail in Manhattan, however, during a court hearing on Wednesday, federal officials admitted the footage had gone 'missing.'
"The Government is in the process of obtaining a copy of the Video from the MCC. Once the Government obtains a copy of the Video, the Government intends to make it available for defense counsel’s review at the United States Attorney’s Office," the prosecutors’ office wrote.
Prosecutors say the video had been saved by staff members at the correctional center as previously requested.
Epstein's cellmate, a former police officer named Nicholas Tartaglione, who is facing quadruple homicide charges, claims he helped save the disgraced billionaire's life during his initial suicide attempt at the federal jail on July 23. Epstein denied trying to take his own life at the time, telling his lawyers his cellmate, Tartaglione, had been responsible for the injuries around his neck. The wealthy investor's story appeared to convince jail officials, who took him off of suicide watch following the incident.
A few weeks later on August 10, Epstein was discovered dead in his cell, with officials officially ruling his death a suicide by hanging. Federal officials have charged two correctional officers who were on duty that night for failing to conduct their rounds and falsifying records related to their duties. At the time of his death, Epstein did not have a cellmate.
Epstein's death, which has remained under investigation, has sparked conspiracy theories about the billionaire being murdered because of his ties to other wealthy and powerful people.
Photo: Getty Images