A prominent pathologist examining the autopsy records of Jeffrey Epstein intends to present findings that may challenge the official determination that his death by hanging was a suicide, as revealed by Epstein’s brother, Mark Epstein.
In an interview with CBS News on Friday, Mark Epstein stated, “They conducted a thorough scientific examination and genuinely investigated the matter.” Michael Freeman, a professor and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, plans to release his research along with the New York City Medical Examiner’s autopsy files, which he acquired from Mark Epstein. Freeman is scheduled to share his findings at University College London on November 16.
Mark Epstein expressed to CBS News that Freeman’s analysis reinforced his belief that a more extensive investigation into his brother’s death is warranted. “The cause cited on Jeffrey’s original death certificate was scrutinized in detail; this type of study has not been previously undertaken,” he remarked. “Had such an investigation been conducted earlier, the conclusion of suicide may not have been reached.” He also emphasized that the report was independently conducted, stating, “This was not done on my behalf; they undertook this on their own initiative.”
Freeman’s assessment points out various aspects that render Epstein’s death investigation “distinctive” for a case ruled as suicide. Notably, there were no photographs taken of Epstein’s body at the location of his death, and the ligature used was neither preserved nor examined. In Epstein’s instance, investigators noted that bed sheets were utilized as the ligature.
Freeman conducted “a biomechanical analysis” of the ligature patterns and reviewed images that he described to CBS News as showing injuries that the medical examiner did not account for. At this stage, he has chosen not to disclose his conclusions. The Times, a British publication, was the first to report on Freeman’s forthcoming presentation.
“The death can only be classified as either a suicide or homicide, and my lecture will outline the evidence supporting both possibilities,” Freeman explained. He is affiliated with Oregon Health & Science University’s School of Medicine and Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands. His prior work includes participation in an audit of Maryland’s medical examiner’s office.
Freeman’s review emerges amidst increased public interest in Epstein, fueled by the federal Epstein Files Transparency Act, which has highlighted Epstein’s connections with a network of elite, wealthy individuals, even as he faced serious allegations of sexual abuse. Epstein passed away in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges related to the trafficking of minors.
Passed in 2025, the Epstein Files Transparency Act mandated the Department of Justice to disclose extensive investigative documents concerning Epstein and his associates.
In May, a U.S. district judge ordered the release of a purported suicide note linked to an incident occurring less than a month before Epstein’s death. This note had been filed and sealed in May 2021 as part of a murder case involving Epstein’s former cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, and was made public following a request by The New York Times.
Tartaglione, a former police officer serving a sentence for multiple homicides, claimed in a podcast interview that he discovered the note in a book the day after Epstein’s death and subsequently provided it to his attorneys.
The handwritten note reportedly states, “They investigated me for months — found nothing!!! So 15-year-old charges resulted.” It also contains phrases like “time to say goodbye” and “No fun — not worth it!!”
As of now, CBS News has not independently verified the authenticity of the note.
