Newly disclosed federal records indicate a correctional officer searched for updates about Jeffrey Epstein shortly before he was found dead inside a Manhattan jail facility in 2019.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Recently released Department of Justice documents show that a correctional officer assigned to the housing unit where Jeffrey Epstein was detained conducted internet searches about the financier minutes before his body was discovered inside his Manhattan jail cell.
According to documents referenced in a New York Post report, the officer—identified as Tova Noel—searched online for “latest on Epstein in jail” twice shortly before another officer discovered the inmate unresponsive.
Prison guard googled Jeffrey Epstein minutes before his body was found – and deposited thousands days before pedophile's suicide: DOJ https://t.co/eiQXr5SXIL pic.twitter.com/92gf86kLua
— New York Post (@nypost) March 7, 2026
Epstein, a convicted sex offender facing federal charges related to sex trafficking, was found dead in August 2019 at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan. Authorities later ruled the death a suicide by hanging.
Federal investigative records indicate Noel had been browsing the internet and shopping online during portions of her overnight shift. The documents also state she allegedly slept during the period when guards were required to conduct regular checks on inmates every 30 minutes.
The body was ultimately discovered by correctional officer Michael Thomas.
Noel and Thomas were later accused of falsifying prison records to indicate they had conducted required checks on Epstein during the night hours. Both officers lost their jobs following the incident, though criminal charges filed against them were eventually dismissed.
At the time, then–U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman said the officers failed to carry out their duties.
“The guards had a duty to ensure the safety and security of federal inmates in their care,” Berman said in a 2019 statement. “Instead, they repeatedly failed to conduct mandated checks on inmates, and lied on official forms to hide their dereliction.”
The newly cited documents also reference financial activity tied to Noel’s bank account. According to records flagged by investigators, Chase Bank submitted a suspicious activity report after observing a series of cash deposits.
Federal records indicated that 12 deposits were made beginning in April 2018, culminating with a $5,000 deposit on July 30, 2019—just days before Epstein’s death.
Noel later disputed the claim that she had searched Epstein’s name online. According to the reporting, she said she did not recall conducting the searches and questioned the accuracy of the FBI records documenting the activity.
Additional material from investigators includes testimony from an inmate housed in the same facility. The inmate told the FBI he overheard correctional officers discussing the situation shortly after Epstein was discovered unresponsive.
According to reporting from the Miami Herald, the inmate said officers were heard shouting “Breathe! Breathe!” around 6:30 a.m. before one officer allegedly remarked, “Dudes, you killed that dude.”
The inmate told investigators that a female guard allegedly responded that if Epstein had died, the officers would cover up the situation and create an alibi. The witness claimed the exchange was audible throughout the Special Housing Unit.
Epstein’s cell was located roughly 15 feet from the guards’ workstation in the unit.
Following the death, multiple investigations examined the circumstances surrounding the overnight supervision of Epstein and the procedures that were supposed to be in place to monitor inmates in the high-security housing unit.
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