The FBI will begin an investigation into the death of Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in his New York prison cell earlier today.
A statement from the US Department of Justice read: "On Saturday August 10, 2019, at approximately 6.30am inmate Jeffrey Edward Epstein was found unresponsive in his cell at the Special Housing Unit from an apparent suicide at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre (MCC) in New York, New York.
"Life-saving measures were initiated immediately by responding staff. Staff requested emergency medical services (EMS) and life-saving efforts continued. Mr. Epstein was transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries, and subsequently pronounced dead by hospital staff. The FBII is investigating the incident."
The statement also says 66-year-old Epstein was in MCC 'under pretrial status after being indicted for sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy'.
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Epstein was facing 45 years in prison if he was convicted.
In 2008 he had pleaded guilty to prostitution-charges related to underage girls and served 13 months in prison.
Last month, it was reported that Epstein had been found 'semi-conscious' in his cell 'with injuries to his neck', he was given treatment at hospital and then returned to MMC. There were reports he had been placed on 'suicide watch' following the incidents, but these are yet to be confirmed.
His death comes just one day after hundreds of pages of court documents have been released, which detail new allegations against Epstein and a number of his associates.
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Epstein's accusers have expressed their anger over his sudden death, with Jennifer Araoz, who accused the billionaire of raping her when she was 15, telling NBC News: "I am angry Jeffrey Epstein won't have to face his survivors of his abuse in court.
"We have to live with the scars of his actions for the rest of our lives, while he will never face the consequences of the crimes he committed, the pain and trauma he caused so many people.
"Epstein is gone, but justice must still be served. I hope the authorities will pursue and prosecute his accomplices and enablers and ensure redress for his victims."
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Lawyer Sigrid McCawley, who is working on behalf of Virginia Giuffre and other accusers, said: "We are hopeful that the government will continue to investigate and will focus on those who participated and facilitated Epstein's horrifying sex trafficking scheme that damaged so many. The victims await the true justice they have sought and deserve."
Featured Image Credit: PA
