The US Attorney General has criticised the jail where Jeffrey Epstein was being held, saying there were “serious irregularities” at the facility.
At a national policing conference on Monday, William Barr said the irregularities at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan were “deeply concerning”, adding that he is demanding a “thorough investigation”.
While Barr did not provide specific details, he said staffers at the centre had “failed to adequately secure this prisoner”.
Epstein died on Saturday in what prison officials said was an apparent suicide, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
His death came hours after the release of a cache of court documents involving multiple accusers were unsealed.
They contain rafts of allegations against Epstein, his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell and other powerful men, including Prince Andrew.
Epstein’s death means his trial will not go ahead but Lisa Bloom, a high-profile lawyer representing three of his alleged victims, has stated her intent to continue proceeding with civil cases.
She tweeted: “On behalf of the victims I represent, we would have preferred he lived to face justice.
“Our civil cases can still proceed against his estate. Victims deserve to be made whole for the lifelong damage he caused. We’re just getting started.”
On Monday, Barr also issued a stern warning, saying the case was far from over.
“Let me assure you that this case will continue on against anyone who was complicit with Epstein,” he said. “Any co-conspirators should not rest easy. The victims deserve justice and they will get it.”
Questions have also been raised about the whereabouts of Maxwell, who stepped back from public life and engagements in 2016.