Seven years after Jeffrey Epstein’s death, forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden has reignited the debate over the official suicide ruling.
In a recent interview, Baden, who observed the 2019 autopsy on behalf of the Epstein family, stated that the physical evidence remains “most likely caused by strangulation pressure rather than hanging.”
This coincides with a massive release of over 3 million documents by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in early 2026, which have revealed new discrepancies in the timeline of his final hours.
The Medical Evidence: Hanging vs. Strangulation
Dr. Baden’s skepticism centers on the specific fractures found in Epstein’s neck.
| Injury | Suicidal Hanging | Homicidal Strangulation |
| Hyoid Bone Fracture | Occurs in ~6% to 25% of cases (mostly older victims) | Highly Common |
| Thyroid Cartilage | Rare to find multiple fractures | Highly Common |
| Multiple Fractures | Extremely Rare (Baden notes 0 cases in his career) | Standard Finding |
Dr. Baden’s Quote: “In my 50-year career, I have not encountered three fractures in the neck in cases of suicidal hanging… the evidence points toward homicide rather than suicide.”
New DOJ Disclosures (February 2026)
The latest batch of “Epstein Files” released by the DOJ includes surveillance review logs and FBI memos that appear to contradict earlier official statements:
- The “Orange Figure”: Video logs from the night of August 9, 2019, show a “flash of orange” moving toward Epstein’s tier at 10:39 PM. While official reports originally stated no one entered the tier, new FBI memos describe the figure as “possibly an inmate” or a corrections officer carrying orange linen.
- The Missing Minute: Documents show that the FBI destroyed a “master copy” of surveillance footage in late 2024, labeling it “no longer pertinent,” only for the DOJ to attempt to reconstruct it in 2025 due to public pressure.
- Institutional Lapses: The 2023 and 2026 DOJ reports confirmed that guards Tova Noel and Ghitto Bonhomme falsified logs to cover for sleeping on duty and failing to conduct required 30-minute checks.
Dr. Michael Baden: Career Statistics
Baden is one of the most prolific forensic pathologists in American history, often called for high-profile “second opinions.”
- Total Autopsies: Over 20,000 in a 50+ year career.
- Notable Cases: Re-investigated the assassinations of JFK and Martin Luther King Jr. (as part of the House Select Committee).
- Famous Private Autopsies: George Floyd, Michael Brown, Aaron Hernandez, and O.J. Simpson (defense expert).