New Surveillance Video Exposes Prison Guards' Neglect in Epstein Suicide Case
Recently released surveillance video from the night of Jeffrey Epstein's death has revealed shocking details about the conduct of prison guards at Manhattan's Metropolitan Correctional Center. The footage, unearthed from a trove of Department of Justice documents, shows correctional officers Tova Noel and Michael Thomas casually milling about only a few feet from Epstein's cell, where he took his own life.
Guards Failed to Conduct Mandatory Rounds
At approximately 3:15 a.m., Noel and Thomas were observed lounging in front of the officer station in the Special Housing Unit. Instead of performing the required 3 a.m. rounds, they were seen writing on paper, walking back and forth, and talking on phones. Epstein was located just a few feet away, in the first cell on the block, down a short set of stairs behind the officer station on the ninth floor L tier wing.
The Department of Justice stated that Epstein is believed to have killed himself between 10:30 p.m. on August 9, when Noel last checked on inmates, and 6:30 a.m. on August 10, when Noel and Thomas discovered his lifeless body while serving breakfast. Noel was working a double shift at the time.
Bright-Orange Warnings Ignored by Staff
DOJ documents further disclosed that guards ignored bright-orange warnings and reminders posted on their computers by the officer in charge of the Special Housing Unit, Lt. Roberto Grijalva. These notes emphasized that Epstein had recently been removed from suicide watch, required a bunkmate at all times, and needed regular check-ins.
One order explicitly read, "Manadatory [sic] rounds must be conducted every 30 minutes on Epstein, as per God!!!" Grijalva later told investigators, "I put it next to the computer. It was just something between us, that said, make sure rounds are conducted and he has a bunkie at all times. It’s bright orange paper and black lettering."
Lapses in Protocol and Cellmate Arrangements
Grijalva recounted that before leaving for the weekend at 2 p.m. on August 9, he placed the instructions "right next to the screen, hanging on the PC" and informed staff multiple times that Epstein would need a new cellmate upon returning from meetings with his lawyers. However, when he returned on Monday, the paper was gone.
Earlier that day, Grijalva had escorted Epstein and his cellmate, convicted drug dealer Efrain Reyes, downstairs. Epstein was calm and even joked about requesting a new jumper, to which Grijalva responded, "It’s a jail, this is what you got to do. Nobody else gets a jumper, it’s not Versace." Reyes was discharged with all his belongings, likely heading home, leaving Epstein without a bunkmate.
Investigation Reveals Systemic Failures
Grijalva also explained to inspectors that Epstein had multiple orange sheets in his cell, which he used to hang himself, because officers failed to remove Reyes' sheets upon discharge. Extra sheets were likely given to Epstein after he complained of being cold at night. Grijalva bluntly stated, "They f--****d up. Sorry. That’s a big no go." Despite these lapses, Grijalva remains employed at the facility and has been promoted to deputy captain.
Noel and Thomas were accused of falsifying records to indicate they checked on Epstein throughout the night, though investigators found they missed the 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. rounds. They were fired, but criminal charges against both were dropped in 2021 by Obama-appointed US District Court Judge Analisa Torres.
Additionally, the House Oversight Committee Chair called Noel for an interview on March 26 after reports surfaced that she googled Epstein shortly before his death and received mysterious cash deposits. This ongoing scrutiny highlights the deep-seated issues within the prison system that contributed to Epstein's tragic end.
