An inmate who was assigned as a "companion" to Jeffrey Epstein during his time on suicide watch at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York believes the financier died by suicide. William "Dollar Bill" Mersey, who spoke with Epstein for at least 20 hours, observed a marked decline in the financier's mood.
Mersey, who was housed at the jail between January and November 2019, told the BBC's Panorama documentary that Epstein appeared "defeated" and was eating from a Styrofoam container on the floor of his cell. When Mersey asked why, Epstein reportedly responded, "Oh, it's just easier this way."
During their conversations, Mersey, who was incarcerated for tax fraud, discussed his escort advertising business with Epstein. Mersey recalled Epstein asking if he needed money, and offering to put funds on his account. Mersey interpreted this gesture, in retrospect, as a farewell. "I think in retrospect he was saying goodbye. This is it, I'm going to throw you a few bucks and you're never going to see me again. I'm going to kill myself at the earliest convenience, which he did," Mersey stated.
Epstein was found dead in his cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The New York medical examiner officially ruled his death a suicide. Mersey's role as an inmate companion involved completing four hours of training to observe fellow inmates on suicide watch.
Despite the official ruling, unsubstantiated theories about foul play have persisted. Epstein's former associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in luring young girls for Epstein to abuse. The fallout from Epstein's crimes has also affected public figures, including Prince Andrew, who has been stripped of royal titles amid accusations of sexual assault related to Epstein's trafficking network.