I promised this community another diary on Jeffrey Epstein financial/real estate connections in Palm Beach County. Yes, it’s late, and what I’m writing below isn’t it. Frankly I’m having some complex feelings about what I have to say that I can’t quite lay to rest, yet, as long as there is any question about what happened to the man.
So let’s get to this latest article. I just saw an article in the Washington Post, newly published, this headline:
The cause of death is still pending in Epstein’s death, but the mystery of how this man died in the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) on Barr’s watch, is getting deeper and trending one direction. Here’s the first and second paragraph of the article [emphasis mine]:
An autopsy found that financier Jeffrey Epstein sustained multiple breaks in his neck bones, according to two people familiar with the findings, deepening the mystery about the circumstances around his death.
Among the bones broken in Epstein’s neck was the hyoid bone, which in men is near the Adam’s apple. Such breaks can occur in those who hang themselves, particularly if they are older, according to forensics experts and studies on the subject. But they are more common in victims of homicide by strangulation, the experts said.
When asked, neither the DoJ or AG Barr had any comment, but continue to call Epstein’s death an apparent suicide. The coroner’s office is keeping its own council as well, but did indicate it is seeking any video which may have documented comings and goings in the halls in the unit to see who entered or may have been seen near Epstein’s cell. As well, guards and inmates are being interviewed regarding what they may have seen or heard, and when, and toxicology panels are being run for a variety of substances, in order to see if Epstein had been drugged or had anything else he shouldn’t have, in his system.
WaPo sought expert advice from Jonathan L. Arden, president of the National Association of Medical Examiners, on probabilities around a hanging victim’s hyoid bone fracturing as a result of hanging.
They also asked what it might take to make an informed determination regarding Epstein’s cause of death. He indicated that, given there were multiple bones broken in the neck, including the hyoid, a forensic pathologist would need to make make further detailed examination.
Epstein’s age must be considered in conjunction with characteristics of the noose (narrowness, and location on the neck), and whether or not a substantial drop occurred in the hanging, Arden said. He also said age matters, because the older the deceased, the more likely the hyoid might break in a suicide by hanging; however Arden apparently wasn’t asked how likely it was that Epstein was old enough, and in poor enough physical condition, that his hyoid might reasonably have fractured in a hanging. He was 66 and a long-time yoga practitioner.
The Washington Post does a thorough evaluation of available scientific thought on hyoid bone fracture related to strangulation and hanging, and noted this played a part in the controversy around the Eric Garner killing in NY, as well.
Head on over to WaPo and read the entire article for the details, it’s fascinating, and more importantly, to my mind, it appears that the probability that Jeffrey Epstein was murdered has moved from the realm of conspiracy to being just as probable as suicide, no matter what stories the Trump administration is pushing. I have LOTS of questions now. I found a cache of photos like the gruesome one at the head of this diary. Someone wanted a thorough record, apparently, and that may be important later.
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NOTE: The London Daily Mail has also published an article with more details around what apparently was happening the night before Epstein died. The article indicates that Epstein’s roommate was removed that evening, not earlier in the week, as has been reported in other sources.
Warning: that Daily Mail article has pictures of Epstein’s body being worked on. I looked closely, and I’m sorry. I’m sick and won’t sleep tonight. But I noticed things. He’s blue, and appears to have been struck on his temple, for one thing.