Dr. Michael Baden shared his conclusions about the suspicious nature of Jeffrey Epstein’s death in a bombshell interview
Millionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein‘s body bore telltale signs of homicide by strangulation and not suicide, according to a leading forensic pathologist.
In a bombshell interview with ‘Fox & Friends’, Dr. Michael Baden shared his conclusions about the suspicious nature of Epstein’s death after the financier was discovered dead in his cell on August 10.
The former New York City medical examiner, who was hired by Epstein’s brother and present at the autopsy, shared that the findings are more consistent with homicidal strangulation.
‘At the autopsy on day one there were findings that were unusual for suicidal hanging and more consistent with ligature homicidal strangulation,’ said the pathologist.
New York City Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Barbara Sampson declared on Wednesday she stands ‘firmly’ behind her findings.
‘Our investigation concluded that the cause of Mr. Epstein’s death was hanging and the manner of death was suicide. We stand by that determination,’ Sampson said in a statement.
‘We continue to share information around the medical investigation with Mr. Epstein’s family, their representatives, and their pathology consultant. The original medical investigation was thorough and complete. There is no reason for a second medical investigation by our office.’‘
Epstein also had a fracture on the left hyoid bone that is above the Adam’s apple, Baden explained
Baden, who was hired by Epstein’s brother, shared that the findings are more consistent with homicidal strangulation than with a suicide. Epstein’s body is seen above
Baden described how the 66-year-old financier had two fractures – one on the left and another on the right sides of his larynx, around Adam’s apple.
Epstein also had a fracture on the left hyoid bone that is above Adam’s apple, Baden explained.
‘Those three fractures are extremely unusual in suicidal hangings and could occur much more commonly in homicidal strangulation,’ Baden said.
Never-before-seen photographs provided to Law & Crime by Dr. Baden show the fractures suffered by Epstein.
Baden – who has worked on cases involving OJ Simpson, President John F Kennedy, Phil Spector, Aaron Hernandez and more – said that the three fractures were ‘rare’.
The 85-year-old forensic pioneer added: ‘I’ve not seen in 50 years where that occurred in a suicidal hanging case.’
Baden has had an extensive career, examining more than 20,000 bodies. He even hosted HBO’s ‘Autopsy.’
The pathologist’s findings are at odds with New York City Medical Examiner Barbara Sampson’s ruling that Epstein died from suicide from hanging.
‘It appears that this could have been a mistake,’ Baden said. ‘There’s evidence here of homicide that should be investigated, to see if it is or isn’t homicide.’
Baden described that a person weighing 120lbs – with a head weight of 10lbs – would have 110lbs of pressure on their neck at the jaw during a hanging. However, the pathologist described that double or triple the pressure could be applied to the neck if a person was to squeeze.
He added that there were also hemorrhages in Epstein’s eyes that were consistent in homicide strangulation yet uncommon – but not unheard of – in strangulation cases.
Baden said: ‘The prominent hemorrhage in the soft tissues of the neck next to the fractures is evidence of a fresh neck compression that could have caused the death.’‘
The three fractures Epstein sustained are seen in the diagram above
A diagram from Jeffrey Epstein’s autopsy report shows the approximate location of a fracture on his hyoid bone
A microscopic view of two fractures (circled) on the left and right of Epstein’s thyroid
Baden – who has worked on cases involving OJ Simpson, President John F Kennedy, Phil Spector, and Aaron Hernandez – said that the three fractures were ‘rare’
The pathologist asserted that a conclusion could not be reached until the independent study was completed.
‘The investigation is not completed until all the information has come in,’ he said.
A ligature allegedly made from a sheet that had been twisted was placed around Epstein’s neck, Baden said. He added that evidence on the cloth may provide insight into the details surrounding the sex offender’s death at the Metropolitan Correctional facility.
‘Whoever it is would have their DNA all over the ligature,’ he said. ‘We don’t have those results yet.’
Baden declared that the results ‘should be reported quickly to give an idea and lessen the speculation’.
Baden noted that Epstein had been placed on suicide watch after he was found on the floor of his prison cell on July 23 with marks around his neck.
Baden added that there were also hemorrhages in Epstein’s eyes that were consistent in homicide strangulation yet uncommon – but not unheard of – in strangulation cases
After being taken off of suicide watch, he was placed in a cell with a roommate who was eventually removed.
And on the day of his death, Baden described that there was a ‘total breakdown’ in procedure experienced by prison security.
‘It was determined that the two guards who were supposed to be working in that area of the prison had allegedly fallen asleep and hadn’t made their 30-minute rounds for more than 3 hours,’ the pathologist explained.
Security cameras in the facility were also compromised, Baden said.
Baden shared that Epstein’s brother and family wanted answers, prompting his hiring. He added that if the death was a homicide, ‘he and others may be at risk because of somebody not wanting knowledge given out.’
Baden shared that Epstein’s brother and family wanted answers, prompting his hiring. ‘The brother is concerned that if he was murdered, then other people who have information might be as risk, in jeopardy,’ he said
The pathologist asserted that a conclusion could not be reached until the independent study into Epstein’s death was completed. Pictured above a scene picture from August when Epstein’s body was brought out by medical examiners at a lower Manhattan hospital and taken to the Medical Examiners office
Questions remain as to why the high-profile pedophile was taken off suicide watch so soon after this July suicide attempt, and why he was not being properly monitored by MCC employees at the time of his death
‘The brother is concerned that if he was murdered, then other people who have information might be as risk, in jeopardy,’ he said.
The forensic mainstay described Epstein’s death as ‘not a typical hanging case.
Questions remain as to why the high-profile pedophile was taken off suicide watch so soon after this July suicide attempt, and why he was not being properly monitored by MCC employees at the time of his death.
His death prompted outrage and disbelief over how such a high-profile prisoner, known for socializing with powerful people including presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, could have been left without surveillance at the federal facility.
Epstein was arrested in New York in July on new charges of sex-trafficking girls as young as 14 in the early 2000s.