FBI Leaders Bongino and Patel Affirm Epstein Died by Suicide, Dismissing Conspiracy Theories

FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino have both determined that Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide while in custody at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City.

“I have reviewed the case. Jeffrey Epstein killed himself. There’s no evidence in the case file indicating otherwise,” Bongino, a former conservative radio personality, posted on X.

“I’m not asking you to believe me, or not. I’m telling you what exists, and what doesn’t. If new evidence surfaces I’m happy to reevaluate.”

Since Epstein’s sudden death in 2019, speculation and conspiracy theories have surrounded the incident, with many suggesting foul play due to Epstein’s associations with powerful individuals. Some theories claim those with ties to Epstein might have had a motive to silence him.

Despite these ongoing suspicions, Patel made his stance clear during a recent Senate hearing, affirming that he believes Epstein took his own life. “Listen, they have a right to their opinion,” Patel said on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, addressing those who doubt the official account.

“As someone who has worked as a public defender, as a prosecutor, who’s been in that prison system, who’s been in the Metropolitan Detention Center, who’s been in segregated housing, you know a suicide when you see one, and that’s what that was.”

Bongino supported Patel’s conclusion during their joint appearance with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo. “He killed himself,” Bongino stated. “I have seen the whole file. He killed himself.”

Epstein, a convicted sex offender and financier, was discovered dead in his jail cell on August 10, 2019. Authorities reported he used bed sheets to hang himself, just over a month after he was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges.

The New York Post reports that compounding the controversy, the New York Times reported that two guards failed to conduct their routine 30-minute checks the night Epstein died, as they had fallen asleep. Surveillance cameras outside his cell were also not functioning at the time, reportedly due to prior technical issues.

The initial autopsy conducted by New York City’s medical examiner ruled Epstein’s death a suicide. However, the family commissioned independent forensic pathologist Michael Baden, who publicly disagreed with that finding. Baden argued that injuries to Epstein’s neck bones, particularly the thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone, were more consistent with strangulation than hanging.

Dr. Barbara Sampson, who led the city’s medical examiner’s office from 2013 to 2021 and conducted the autopsy, firmly defended the official conclusion. “I stand firmly behind our determination of the cause and manner of death for Mr. Epstein. The cause is hanging, the manner is suicide,” Sampson stated at the time.

Earlier in the year, Attorney General Pam Bondi provided MAGA-aligned influencers with documents related to Epstein’s case. Most of the materials had already been released previously, drawing criticism for the manner in which the disclosures were handled. In response to the backlash, Bondi claimed the FBI had withheld certain documents from her.

During their interview on Fox, Bongino and Patel hinted at forthcoming disclosures tied to issues that have generated widespread interest among conservatives, including the FBI’s handling of the Trump-Russia probe and the January 6 Capitol breach.

“That’s how vindictive and vicious the former leadership structure here was. Not only did they bastardize the FISA process and lie to the American public. They withheld and hid documentation and put it in rooms where people weren’t supposed to look,” Patel said.

“And it’s a good thing we’re here now to clean it up, and you’re about to see a wave of transparency,” he added. “Just give us about a week or two.”