Epstein’s Hyoid Bone, and Mine.

This past January, Attorney General Pam Bondi released more of the Department of Justice's Epstein files. The New York's Chief Medical Examiners’s report which found he died by suicidal hanging using a bed sheet caught my attention. Previously, the public was made aware of the determined cause of his death but the autopsy report was detailed in a February article by the BBC. The materials contained photos of Epstein immediately after his body was found and placed on a stretcher that showed ligature marks around his neck. In addition, an internal prison interview with Epstein claims he would never kill himself and wanted to fight the charges, which conflicts with the findings of suicide. Furthermore, evidence obtained from prior to his death confirms records were falsified, he was not properly monitored by cameras or guards, one of whom made suspicious bank deposits prior to his death, a video previously cut from DoJ disclosures that shows an unidentified figure near his cell, and the crime scene was tainted ie no fingerprints taken. As a federal criminal appeals attorney, with 14-years of experience challenging the reliability and sufficiency of evidence to sustain a conviction, I cannot rely on the conclusion of this official autopsy. Questions and doubts still linger.

For sure, reading about a wealthy predator brought back memories of my own death by strangulation. Yes, I let go into death. In Epstein's case, he died in his jail cell while in federal detention and most importantly his watch that violated standard protocols. Meanwhile, I was left for dead in the woods on the idyllic island of Martha’s Vineyard after a perfect stranger attacked me and left me there to rot. I wrote about the premonitions and this transformational event in my award-winning memoir, My Random Death, which I also published.

The hyoid bone was broken in my encounter with an evil man, similar to what happened to Epstein. The principle "function of this bone is to serve as an anchoring structure for the tongue. It has no articulation with other bones,” states Encyclopedia Brittanica. A unique aspect of the hyoid is that it can heal itself. Rather, we can heal ourselves, which eventually happened to me after spending time in intensive care and then in recovery for a number of weeks. Experts say a fracture of this rather structurally weak part of our framework is strong evidence of a homicide. However, it can also indicate a suicide. And therein lies the problem. The post-mortem report raised some controversy over whether or not foul play brought about Jeffery Epstein's demise. His brother hired renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Baden who disagreed the death was by suicidal hanging. The alternative conclusion is Epstein was murdered. In addition, there were thyroid cartilage fractures on both side of his neck, however not in mine, which is more bird-like, can easily bruise, and easy to snap. In my case, as in his, there was other physical clues that a homicide had occurred. Although a suicide by hanging can result in hemorrhaging in the eyes, it is also good evidence to suggest a violent, deadly crime had taken place. While being strangled the blockage forces the red blood cells into the whites of the eyes. An autopsy on Jeffery Epstein noted these spots. In my case, the red blood in my eye lingered for a few months after being attacked, when I let go into death, and then returned to life.

The well respected expert and author in the field of forensic pathology, Dr. Peter Cummings also questioned the official conclusion in his February article for the Connecticut Examiner were he writes, “For decades, forensic literature has demonstrated that fractures of these structures occur in only a minority of suicidal hangings. Large autopsy series and standard forensic texts report thyroid cartilage fractures in roughly 5 to 15 percent of hanging deaths. Hyoid fractures occur at similar or lower rates. Bilateral thyroid fractures, damage occurring symmetrically on both sides, are even less commonly reported. According to the published literature, the combined presence of bilateral thyroid fractures and a hyoid fracture, as documented in Epstein’s autopsy, represents a pattern rarely observed in suicidal hangings. The point is not that such fractures never occur in suicide. The point is that when multiple rigid structures are fractured, with hemorrhage proving the injuries occurred during life,  the mechanism deserves serious scrutiny.”

I am reminded of the tarot card, The Tower, or the 16th of Trumps. This suit, also known as the higher arcana, is composed of 22 cards and provides an archetypical, phenomenological map to mirror ourselves and our experiences in the world. Studying and working with the tarot develops an intuitive way for understanding our lives. The Tower represents unexpected change, danger or destruction, and a subsequent liberation that transforms one’s life and rebirths a new point of view. In its foreground, the card is traditionally depicted as a tall tower struck by a lightning bolt. Dark smoke billows, while a raging fire threatens folks inside while some jump from balustrades to their deaths. Terror reigns. Contrarily, a sun shines in a distant sky as a peaceful dove flies across the expanse.

This symbolism of a shattered structure can refer to an actual tragedy, or a forced move from a home, store, or office building. There is psychological aspects to this card where one suddenly must abandon entrenched paradigms and beliefs for something new. A calamity can set you free from a stale status quo or prison-like conditions, and usher in new cognitive formulations and  physical formations if you are ready to move forward…into the sunlight. The Tower expresses profound, cataclysmic change. The card indicates innocence lost, never to be regained. Attorney General Pam Bondi states if the DoJ releases all of the Epstein files it will bring the whole system down, similar to the teaching of the Tower tarot card. Nevertheless, we must allow the Rule of Law to guide us. To do nothing is to choose fear and to live in an increasingly dangerous and lawless country.

The suit of Trumps is usually numbered from 0-21, however, I prefer the cards’ association to the Hebrew alphabet which goes from 1-22. The 17th letter is Peh - which means the mouth, speech, or for our purposes, it can imply a strangulation to deliberately try to shut someone up. On July 6, 2019 Epstein was indicated, arrested, and then federally detained for conspiracy and trafficking in minors. He was the only named defendant. To support a conspiracy count, the US Attorney Office for the Southern District of New York claimed, "EPSTEIN worked with others, including employees and associates who facilitated his conduct by, among other things, contacting victims and scheduling their sexual encounters with EPSTEIN at the New York Residence and at the Palm Beach Residence." No other person was identified in this filing. Once he was jailed it is likely defendant Epstein could choose to “spill the beans” or start talking, and become a witness for the prosecution. In exchange for his cooperation the prosecutors would recommend a lighter sentence. This agreement usually requires an admission of guilt to the crimes charged, identify his co-conspirators, and most importantly testify at their trials. For many this enticement is huge. If he does not cooperate, the prosecutors may file a superseding indictment to add more defendants already known, and might include additional charges against Epstein stemming from the same vile, criminal conduct that landed him in jail in the first place. However, by August 10, 2019, all deals were off the table because he was found dead in his jail cell.

We all have to grow up, face hardships and some not of our making. So how does one best adapt to profound change without becoming suicidal or homicidal? By being bold, experimental, and open to newness. The Torah states when the Hebrews left Egypt and their bondage into slavery, they did so boldly, being given what ever they asked for from the Egyptians. (Exodus 13:36) This attitude of confidence beckons our society to take up the challenges of accountability. I believe a further, more thorough, by-the-books investigation surrounding Jeffery Epstein's death is warranted. Too many things do not add up and disputed facts remain. Even the controversial congresswoman, Republican Representative Nancy Mace recently claimed it’s likely Epstein was murdered, and more investigation into the matter is necessary.