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Barr asks inspector general to investigate Jeffrey Epstein's death

In this image, Barr speaks to a crowd
Attorney General William Barr speaks about the release of the redacted Mueller report on April 18, 2019. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Attorney General William Barr asked the Justice Department's inspector general on Saturday to investigate alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein's death, as the FBI conducts an investigation of its own.

What's happening: Law enforcement officials said Epstein, 66, hanged himself and was found in a jail cell Saturday morning at roughly 7:30 am. Previously, on July 23, "Epstein was found passed out in his jail cell with marks on his neck," per the New York Times.

  • Epstein was under extra security in a special unit of the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, but not under suicide watch, a prison official told the Times.
"I was appalled to learn that Jeffrey Epstein was found dead early this morning from an apparent suicide while in federal custody. Mr. Epstein's death raises serious questions that must be answered. In addition to the FBI's investigation, I have consulted with the Inspector General who is opening an investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Epstein's death."
— AG Bill Barr's statement on Saturday
Jeffrey Epstein