WASHINGTON, D.C. – Questions surrounding the surveillance video from the night Jeffrey Epstein died in federal custody have resurfaced, as new reports suggest the U.S. government holds a version of the footage that does not include the previously identified “missing minute.”
According to a new investigation by CBS News, the FBI, Department of Justice, and Bureau of Prisons have maintained an internal copy of surveillance footage from the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) that does not skip the 11:59 p.m. timestamp – contradicting earlier versions released to the public and media.
The original publicly released video, which spans nearly 11 hours of footage from outside Epstein’s cell, appeared to jump from 11:58:59 p.m. to 12:00:00 a.m., skipping the crucial minute leading up to his reported discovery. The gap sparked widespread speculation and concern, prompting further scrutiny of the footage’s authenticity and chain of custody.
Forensic experts who reviewed the publicly available file cited numerous inconsistencies. These included signs that the video had been stitched together from multiple files, evidence of screen recordings with cursor movements and menu bars visible, and unusual frame rate and resolution changes. Metadata analysis reportedly indicated that nearly three minutes had been removed or altered from the final product – far more than the single minute publicly discussed.
Additional footage, which included stairwell views of the area near Epstein’s cell, also raised questions. Analysts pointed out a mysterious orange figure initially thought to be a corrections officer carrying linens. Upon closer examination, some experts speculated that it may have been an inmate in an orange jumpsuit, although no definitive conclusion has been made.
CBS News now reports that the uncut version – retained internally by the FBI and other federal agencies – does in fact include the full 11:59 p.m. minute, suggesting the omission may have resulted from a technical or post-processing issue with the publicly released file.
Earlier explanations for the gap included a claim from a former federal official that a system reset occurred nightly at midnight, potentially causing a timestamp overlap or jump. However, surveillance and digital video experts have questioned the likelihood of such a system flaw, particularly one occurring during such a high-profile incarceration.
Epstein, a financier with connections to powerful figures and a long history of sexual abuse allegations, was found dead in his cell in August 2019. His death was ruled a suicide by federal authorities, but persistent doubts about the circumstances have fueled conspiracy theories and continued public interest. At the time, two MCC guards were accused of failing to conduct proper checks and later admitted to falsifying records.
Calls for transparency remain ongoing. Some members of Congress have renewed their push for the full release of all surveillance footage from the facility, citing unresolved discrepancies, gaps in camera coverage, and mounting public distrust in the official narrative.
As of this report, the government has not released the full, unedited video in question, and it remains unclear whether it will be made available for independent review.
Wider Coverage of the Story
Several reputable outlets have picked up the CBS News investigation, offering similar insights with additional angles:
- People.com highlights that the Trump administration – including the FBI, DOJ, and Bureau of Prisons – holds a version of the video that appears complete, with no gap at 11:59 p.m.
- The Daily Beast reports forensic analysts suggesting the image of a corrections officer carrying linens might instead be someone in an orange jumpsuit, and also notes a second camera feed may still be withheld.
- New York Magazine’s Intelligencer and Wired have scrutinized metadata, showing that around 2 minutes and 53 seconds of footage were removed before release.
Key Facts & Clarifications (Minimal Quotes)
| Topic | Insight |
|---|---|
| Missing Minute | CBS reports that a version held by DOJ, FBI, and the Bureau of Prisons shows no gap at the critical 11:59 p.m. timestamp. |
| Public Footage Edits | The publicly released “raw” video appears to be edited – stitched together from two files, slightly sped up, and missing nearly 3 minutes. |
| Forensic Concerns | Experts raised issues: screen-recording artifacts (cursor/menu visible), skipped frames, aspect ratio shifts, and a key blind spot where Epstein’s cell door wasn’t visible. |
| Unexplained Orange Shape | An object in the stair footage, initially identified as linen-carrying staff, was later questioned by analysts who suggested it looked like a person in a prison jumpsuit. |
| Camera Coverage Gaps | Two cameras near Epstein’s cell reportedly malfunctioned that night; the view shown doesn’t include the primary cell door. Multiple exits or entrances may have been unmonitored. |
| Official Explanation | Former Attorney General Pam Bondi attributed the missing minute to a nightly system reset inherent in the outdated recording equipment (est. 1999). Experts dispute that such resets were typical. |
| Persistent Skepticism | Despite DOJ and FBI insistence that Epstein died by suicide, Congress and numerous experts continue to push for broader access to all surveillance footage. |
Summary
- The initial public disclosure of nearly 11 hours of surveillance footage contained a puzzling one-minute time jump from 11:58:59 p.m. to midnight.
- A government insider now says a separate version of that video, held internally, includes the allegedly missing minute.
- External forensic analysis disputes the public footage’s authenticity, citing metadata alterations, cuts, video stitching, and visual artifacts.
- Additional ambiguity arises from possible camera gaps, a debated figure in orange clothing, and lack of direct visibility into Epstein’s cell door.
- Officials say the anomaly stems from routine nightly system resets – but experts and lawmakers remain unconvinced, demanding full transparency and release of all footage.
