FBI PUBLIC AFFAIRS - DIRECTOR'S AM NEWS BRIEFING

FBI PUBLIC AFFAIRS - DIRECTOR'S AM NEWS BRIEFING THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019 5:00 AM EDT EFTA00161079 EFTA00161080 Forensic Pathologist Says Epstein May Have Been Murdered. The New York Times (10/30, Paybarah, 18.61M) reports, "A forensic pathologist hired by Jeffrey Epstein's brother disputed the official finding in the autopsy of his death, claiming on Wednesday that the evidence suggested that he did not take his own life but may have been strangled." Michael Baden said on Fox News' Fox & Friends that Epstein "experienced a number of injuries — among them a broken bone in his neck — that 'are extremely unusual in suicidal hangings and could occur much more commonly in homicidal strangulation.'" Baden's findings 'were strongly disputed" by New York City Chief Medical Examiner Barbara Sampson, who said, "I stand firmly behind our determination of the cause and manner of death in this case." Fox News (10130, Leon, 27.59M) reports, "Fox News has obtained the summary of the autopsy report of Epstein that 'contained photos of fractures suffered by Epstein that" Baden "told Fox News are 'rare' in suicidal hangings." Baden "revealed to 'Fox & Friends' in an exclusive interview earlier Wednesday that Epstein's body bore signs of homicide despite the New York City Medical Examiners Office ruling that the money man's death was caused by suicide by hanging." Baden "told Fox News the findings were more consistent with homicidal strangulation than a suicide," and "he described three fractures that were noted in the autopsy: one each on the left and right sides of his larynx, specifically the thyroid cartilage or Adam's apple, and one on the left hyoid bone above the Adam's apple." EFTA00161081 Newsweek (10/30, 1.53M) reports, "New York City Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Barbara Sampson rejected an allegation from the Epstein family's pathologist that the late financier's death was a homicide, and not a suicide as Sampson had ruled in August 'Our investigation concluded that the cause of Mr. Epstein's death was hanging and the manner of death was suicide. We stand by that determination,' Sampson said in a written statement. We continue to share information around the medical investigation with Mr. Epstein's family, their representatives, and their pathology consultant. The original medical investigation was thorough and complete. There is no reason for a second medical investigation by our office.'" The Daily Caller (10/30, Krayden, 716K) headlines its report 'Forensic Pathologist Suggests Jeffrey Epstein May Have Been Murdered.° EFTA00161082 EFTA00161083 EFTA00161084 EFTA00161085