Former U.S. Attorney General William Barr once again emphasized that Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 death in federal custody was “undoubtedly suicide”, rejecting conspiracy theories during his testimony before the House Oversight Committee this week.
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What Happened
Barr, who led the Department of Justice under former President Donald Trump, told lawmakers that the evidence strongly supports suicide in Epstein’s case.
“For me, the video was icing on the cake,” Barr testified, pointing to surveillance footage, Epstein’s mental state, and physical evidence. He explained that it would have been nearly impossible for anyone to enter Epstein’s cell without being caught on camera.
However, Barr admitted that the prison camera system contained “a blind spot”, acknowledging that this gap continues to fuel public suspicion.
Conspiracy Theories and Security Gaps
Epstein’s death at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York has long been surrounded by speculation.
- Guards were found asleep during their shifts.
- Cameras malfunctioned at crucial moments.
These lapses created fertile ground for conspiracy theories suggesting Epstein may have been silenced. Family members and former associate Ghislaine Maxwell have publicly raised doubts, though investigators have found no hard evidence of foul play.
Trump’s Response to Epstein’s Death
Barr revealed that he immediately informed Donald Trump after Epstein’s death.
“I called [the president] up and said, ‘You’d better hear this from me,’” Barr said. Trump reportedly responded with shock, asking: “How did this happen? He’s in federal custody?”
Later, Trump publicly distanced himself from Epstein, noting their friendship had ended years earlier. Although the two were close for about 15 years, their relationship soured following a real estate dispute.
Oversight Committee’s Ongoing Investigation
The House Oversight Committee continues to dig into Epstein’s life, crimes, and death. So far, the panel has:
- Questioned former Attorneys General Alberto Gonzales and Jeff Sessions, who denied having relevant knowledge.
- Requested financial documents, flight logs, calendars, and message records from Epstein’s estate, which has already provided some materials.
- Scheduled testimony from Alex Acosta, the former U.S. Attorney who approved Epstein’s controversial 2008 plea deal, for later this week.
Committee Chairman James Comer has stressed the need for transparency and accountability in understanding Epstein’s network and the government’s handling of his case.
Conclusion
William Barr’s testimony once again reinforced the official position that Jeffrey Epstein’s death was a suicide. While conspiracy theories persist due to security failures and Epstein’s powerful connections, investigators and federal officials continue to uphold the suicide ruling. The House Oversight Committee’s investigation may offer further insights in the coming weeks as more testimony and records are reviewed.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.