Dr Michael Baden shared his conclusions about the suspicious nature of Jeffrey Epstein’s death during a Wednesday 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, shared that the findings are more consistent with homicidal strangulation.
Baden described how the 66-year-old financier had two fractures on the left and right sides of his larynx, around the Adam’s apple.
Epstein also had a fracture on the left hyoid bone that is above the Adam’s apple, Baden explained.
Baden described how the 66-year-old financier had two fractures on the left and right sides of his larynx, around the Adam’s apple. 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 suicide
‘Those three fractures are extremely unusual in suicidal hangings and could occur much more commonly in homicidal strangulation,’ Baden said.
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 described that a person weighing 120lbs – with a head wight 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 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 sheet that had been twisted was used as the ligature placed around Epstein’s neck. Baden said that evidence on the cloth may provide insight into the details surrounding the sex offender’s death at the Metropolitan Correctional facility.
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 pathologist asserted that a conclusion could not be reached until the independent study into Epstein’s death was completed
‘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.’
The pathologist did appear 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 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 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.
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.’
The forensic mainstay described Epstein’s death as ‘not a typical hanging case.