Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his jail cell. Photo / AP
Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his jail cell. Photo / AP
Warning: This article is about suicide and may be distressing for some readers.
It's been almost six months since disgraced billionaire and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his jail cell and conspiracy theories about his passing have been rife since.
The medical examiner ruled Epstein, 66, took his own life in his New York City prison cell in August after he was arrested on sex trafficking charges.
The wealthy financier had pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing girls as young as 14 and young women in New York and Florida in the early 2000s, news.com.au reports.
Despite Epstein's autopsy concluding he took his own life in August, harrowing pictures from the night he died, released by the New York City medical examiner's office, are raising questions.
The bunks in Epstein's cell. Photo / 60 Minutes/CBS
Released by the US current affairs program 60 Minutes, at least one forensic investigator claims the pictures only add to the mystery surrounding Epstein's death.
Forensic pathologist Dr Michael Baden, who was hired by Epstein's brother to investigate the death externally, was present during the autopsy.
Speaking to 60 Minutes, Dr Baden said there was one important thing missing from the investigation into Epstein's death — a photo showing the exact position he was in when he died.
Epstein's autopsy report, completed by New York City Chief Medical Examiner Dr Barbara Sampson, listed a number of injuries on his wrists, a forearm and a shoulder muscle.
Other forensic pathologists disagreed with Dr Baden.
Dr Kristin Roman, the medical examiner who did the autopsy observed by Dr Baden, initially listed Epstein's cause of death as "pending".
Days later, Dr Roman's boss Dr Sampson said she had been given additional evidence and could now rule it a suicide.
Epstein had previously tried to take his own life in jail while awaiting trial for the sex trafficking charges.
Despite the questions surrounding Epstein's death, Dr Sampson maintains she and her team are correct.
In October, she told the New York Times she stood "firmly" behind Epstein's cause of death.
"I stand firmly behind our determination of the cause and manner of death in this case," she said.
Dr Baden previously worked as New York City's chief medical examiner but was dismissed by the mayor a year later.
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
