A US judge has released a document described as a suicide note allegedly written by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein weeks before his death in a New York jail in August 2019.

The note, written on lined paper and reportedly discovered by Epstein’s cellmate inside a book, surfaced as part of sealed court records that were unsealed following a request by The New York Times.

According to the released text, Epstein appeared to reference an earlier investigation into his conduct, writing:

“They investigated me for months — Found NOTHING!!! It is a treat to be able to choose one’s time to say goodbye.”

The message also included the line.

“Watcha want me to do — Bust out cryin!! No fun — NOT WORTH IT!!”

The document had been sealed for years as part of legal proceedings involving Epstein’s former cellmate, but was released by Judge Kenneth Karas of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

While the letter has not been independently authenticated, it adds to ongoing scrutiny surrounding Epstein’s death while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Epstein was found injured in his cell in July 2019 in what officials described as a failed suicide attempt, before being discovered dead weeks later. His death was officially ruled a suicide, though it has remained controversial due to reported security lapses and missing surveillance footage at the facility.