NEED TO KNOW Jeffrey Epstein died in a New York City jail in August 2019The month prior, Epstein was found on the floor of his cell and claimed his cellmate tried to kill himThe cellmate in turn claimed Epstein tried to hang himselfWeeks before authorities say Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a New York City jail, the disgraced financier claimed his cellmate tried to kill him. The cellmate told jail staff that Epstein had tried to hang himself, while the financier claimed the cellmate had tried to kill him. The next day, however, according to the report, Epstein changed his tune and said he didn't remember how he'd sustained the injuries. CBS reported that the cellmate has long denied trying to kill Epstein and that his lawyer said the initial accusation was "not true." A day before the July 23 incident, CBS News reported, citing a memo, Epstein claimed he was concerned by his cellmate.