Who is mentioned in this document?

The letter is signed by U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman and addressed to Florence Hutner of the NYC medical examiner's office. Jeffrey Epstein is the subject of the autopsy report being discussed, and the letter references FBI agents and Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) employees whose identities the government sought to protect.

What does this document reveal?

The document reveals that federal prosecutors sought to control the release of Epstein's autopsy information by requesting redactions of FBI-provided materials, agent identities, and MCC scene photographs. It shows the government cited 'preserving the integrity of the ongoing investigation' as justification for limiting public disclosure, despite intense public interest in the circumstances of Epstein's death.

Why did the Justice Department want to redact the autopsy report?

The U.S. Attorney's Office requested redactions to protect the ongoing federal investigation into Epstein's death. Specifically, they wanted to withhold documents provided by federal agencies, names and statements of federal agents interviewed by the medical examiner, and photographs of the MCC cell where Epstein died.

Was Jeffrey Epstein's autopsy report made public?

While the NYC medical examiner ruled Epstein's death a suicide by hanging, the full autopsy report was released with redactions as requested by federal prosecutors. The redacted portions included information provided by the FBI and USAO, agent identities, and MCC scene photographs, which remain protected from public disclosure.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The letter is signed by U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman and addressed to Florence Hutner of the NYC medical examiner's office. Jeffrey Epstein is the subject of the autopsy report being discussed, and the letter references FBI agents and Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) employees whose identities the government sought to protect.

What does this document reveal?

The document reveals that federal prosecutors sought to control the release of Epstein's autopsy information by requesting redactions of FBI-provided materials, agent identities, and MCC scene photographs. It shows the government cited 'preserving the integrity of the ongoing investigation' as justification for limiting public disclosure, despite intense public interest in the circumstances of Epstein's death.

Why did the Justice Department want to redact the autopsy report?

The U.S. Attorney's Office requested redactions to protect the ongoing federal investigation into Epstein's death. Specifically, they wanted to withhold documents provided by federal agencies, names and statements of federal agents interviewed by the medical examiner, and photographs of the MCC cell where Epstein died.

Was Jeffrey Epstein's autopsy report made public?

While the NYC medical examiner ruled Epstein's death a suicide by hanging, the full autopsy report was released with redactions as requested by federal prosecutors. The redacted portions included information provided by the FBI and USAO, agent identities, and MCC scene photographs, which remain protected from public disclosure.

EFTA00021297

This is a September 9, 2019 letter from U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman to the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner requesting redactions to Jeffrey Epstein's autopsy report to protect the ongoing federal investigation.

This Department of Justice letter, sent 21 days after Epstein's death at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC), formally requests that the medical examiner withhold specific information from public disclosure—including FBI-provided materials, federal agent identities and interviews, and MCC scene photographs. The letter references proposed redactions to the autopsy file and emphasizes preserving investigative integrity. This document reveals the federal government's effort to control the release of autopsy information amid widespread public scrutiny of Epstein's death.

Key Highlights

•Sent by U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman three weeks after Epstein's August 10, 2019 death
•Requests withholding of MCC scene photographs and federal agent identities from public disclosure
•References proposed redactions to the autopsy report to protect the ongoing federal investigation
•Indicates coordination between USAO, FBI, and NYC medical examiner regarding evidence control

Frequently Asked Questions

Books for Further Reading

Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

Julie K. Brown

Investigative journalism that broke the Epstein case open

Filthy Rich: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

James Patterson

Bestselling account of Epstein's crimes and network

Relentless Pursuit: My Fight for the Victims of Jeffrey Epstein

Bradley J. Edwards

Victims' attorney's firsthand account

Document Information

Bates Range

EFTA00021297

Pages

Document Content

Page 1 - EFTA00021297

U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney Southern District of New York The Silvio J. Mollo Building One Saint Andrew's Plaza New York, New York 10007 September 9, 2019 Florence Hutner, Esq. General Counsel Office of the Chief Medical Examiner 421 East 2611' Street New York, New York Re: Autopsy Report and File for Jeffrey Epstein Dear Ms. Hutner: By letter dated August 28, 2019, the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York ("USAO") requested that the OCME withhold from disclosure to any third party (i) "any documents, evidence or information made available to OCME by the USAO or the FBI—including documents, records, or materials from the MCC—or created by OCME or within the OCME case file that include, reflect, or contain information made available to OCME by the USAO or FBI"; and (ii) "the names and identifying information of any federal law enforcement agents or employees who were interviewed by the OCME, along with the substance of any statements or interviews made by those agents or employees" (the "August 28 Letter"). At OCME's request, the USAO has made proposed redactions to the version of the OCME report and file for Jeffrey Epstein that was previously provided by OCME to the FBI, consistent with the requests set forth in the August 28 Letter. That redacted document is attached hereto. For the reasons set forth in the August 28 Letter, we also request that OCME withhold from disclosure to any third party any photographs of the scene at the MCC. Finally, in order to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation, in addition to the requests set forth in the August 28 Letter, we also request that OCME withhold from disclosure to any third party this letter and its attachment, and the August 28 Letter. We appreciate your willingness to comply with these requests. Please contact us with any further questions. Very truly yours, GEOFFREY S. BERMAN United States Attorney by: /s/ Encl. EFTA00021297