The nature of Jeffrey Epstein's death should be reinvestigated, according to Dr Michael Baden, a pathologist who was present at the post-mortem examination.
Dr Baden, who was hired by Epstein's estate, claimed that the convicted sex offender and financier died due to “strangulation pressure rather than hanging”, reported The Telegraph. Epstein was found dead in his prison cell on August 10, 2019. He was held at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in New York.
Dr Baden added that he was not convinced by the New York Medical Examiner's Office's finding that Epstein died by suicide while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
“My opinion is that his death was most likely caused by strangulation pressure rather than hanging. Given all the information now available, further investigation into the cause and manner of death is warranted,” Dr Baden was quoted as saying.
The forensic pathologist, with 50 years of experience, cited three distinct fractures on Epstein's neck as evidence, the report added.
“Even one fracture, we have to investigate the possibility of a homicide. Two definitely warrant a full investigation. Findings in textbooks never see those fractures, and neither have I,” he said.
“At the time that the autopsy was done by the medical examiner, we both agreed that, on the basis of the autopsy report and the information available, more information was needed to determine the cause and manner of death,” he added.
The release of government files related to Epstein has raised questions about the nature of his death. The CCTV footage from the night the paedophile died sparked widespread speculation about a mysterious "missing minute" of video, fueling speculations that someone entered his cell undetected, stated a Telegraph report.
Another clip from that night shows an orange "flash" heading up the stairway to his distant prison cell, the report added. But the authorities were in disagreement on the flash, suggesting it may have "possibly" been an inmate.
Meanwhile, the FBI and the Department of Justice have stated that there is no evidence to suggest foul play, the report added.
Keeping the latest revelations in mind, Dr Baden believes that further investigation into the cause of death is necessary.
Speaking with The Telegraph, he said, “That was my opinion at that time, and I still stand by it. The autopsy findings are much more consistent with a crushing injury caused by homicidal strangulation than a death by suicide.”
He concluded that the "lost" time of death was crucial evidence that could help determine whether it was a murder.
The official postmortem report identified three fractures in Epstein's neck: one on the left hyoid, one in the thyroid cartilage on the right side, and one on the left, the report added.
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