The doctor who examined Epstein’s body admits she hesitated to call it a suicide, and the reason provided is raising more questions than it answers

The doctor who performed Jeffrey Epstein’s autopsy initially hesitated to rule his death a suicide, and her explanation, revealed in newly released documents, is raising questions. This comes years after Epstein was found dead in a New York City jail cell; a death officially ruled a suicide that has long been questioned by many close to him.

Epstein was found dead on August 10, 2019, following his arrest on sex trafficking charges. The next day, Dr. Kristin Roman, a New York City medical examiner, performed the autopsy. Instead of immediately marking “homicide” or “suicide” on the death certificate, she checked the box for “pending studies.” Shortly after, Dr. Barbara Sampson, the New York City chief medical examiner at the time, officially ruled Epstein’s death a suicide.

According to The Independent, Dr. Roman told investigators she was “being thorough” by waiting to make her official ruling, and maintained that she was certain Epstein had hanged himself. However, her candid admission is what’s catching attention: “If he had been a less high-profile person who there weren’t people wanting to kill, I would have probably called it a hanging on the day of autopsy.”

The medical examiner’s hesitation reflects how outside pressure can complicate official findings

Dr. Roman reportedly wanted to speak with the officer who found Epstein’s body and inspect his jail cell before finalizing her ruling. She was not allowed to speak with correctional officers or view the cell, though she did receive photographs. 

She stated these limitations did not affect her finding, saying it “would have been more for completeness rather than a big factor in making the determination.” The case has been riddled with suspicious behavior, including how Epstein’s guard lied under oath about his actions in the hours before Epstein’s death.

Skepticism about Epstein’s death continues to persist. Dr. Michael Baden, a forensic pathologist hired by Epstein’s family, has consistently maintained that Epstein died by homicide, pointing to three fractures in Epstein’s neck that he believes are consistent with strangulation. Epstein’s brother, Mark Epstein, also believes his brother was killed, especially after reviewing Dr. Roman’s interview.

Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted accomplice currently serving 20 years in prison for her role in his sex trafficking operation, has also voiced her doubts. In a July 2025 interview with the Justice Department, Maxwell stated, “I do not believe he died by suicide, no.” When asked if she knew who might have killed him, she replied, “No, I don’t.”

Despite these ongoing theories, Dr. Sampson pushed back on Dr. Baden’s claims in October 2019, saying she stands “firmly behind our determination of the cause and manner of death for Mr. Epstein.”

These revelations about the autopsy are part of a large set of documents released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. President Trump, after initially suggesting no further files would be released, later relented, leading to the release of millions of files related to the investigation into Epstein’s crimes. 

These documents include thousands of emails, photos, and videos, many referencing high-profile figures, including President Trump himself, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The newly released Epstein files naming prominent figures have added further pressure on those denials. Appearing in these files does not imply wrongdoing, and President Trump has not been formally accused of any crime connected to the Epstein investigation.