Tova Noel
Tova Noel failed security checks, searched Epstein on his death morning, and received large cash deposits beforehand. U.S. Department of Justice

A former prison guard on duty the night Jeffrey Epstein died, Tova Noel, has been called to provide testimony to the House Oversight Committee amid ongoing scrutiny of the financier's in-custody death.

Noel is accused of failing to conduct routine checks on Epstein and of searching for information online about him shortly before he was found dead. Congressional investigators are now probing her role, as questions continue over potential cover-up and unusual financial activity linked to the guard.

Chair of the committee, James Comer, R-Ky., issued a letter to Noel on 14 March, requesting her deposition on 26 March. The letter cites documents obtained by the committee and public reporting as evidence that Noel may have information relevant to the investigation into Epstein, his associates, and the circumstances surrounding his death.

Alleged Misconduct on the Night of Epstein's Death

Epstein, who was facing federal child sex trafficking charges, was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York on 10 August 2019. Tova Noel and fellow correctional officer Michael Thomas were assigned to monitor him but allegedly failed to conduct the required cell checks. Both officers were accused of falsifying records to cover up the missed rounds. Criminal charges were later dropped, although both guards were subsequently fired.

An inmate housed in the Special Housing Unit recalled overhearing officers discussing Epstein's death in the early hours of 10 August. According to an FBI report cited by the Miami Herald, the inmate heard a guard say 'Dudes, you killed that dude,' followed by a female officer stating 'If he is dead, we're going to cover it up and he's going to have an alibi, my officers.' The identity of the female guard was later confirmed as Noel.

Suspicious Online Activity and Financial Records

Court documents and the FBI report indicate that Noel conducted Google searches for 'latest on Epstein in jail' twice on the morning of 10 August 2019, approximately 40 minutes before Epstein's body was discovered.

In addition, bank records released in the Epstein files show a $5,000 (roughly £3,770) cash deposit into Noel's account on 30 July 2019, as well as other large cash and Zelle transfers in the months leading up to Epstein's death. These records have drawn attention due to their timing in relation to Epstein's alleged suicide attempt earlier that month.

Epstein's former cellmate, Efrain Reyes, told prison officials that Epstein had made payments for protection, including to guards. Noel's financial activity, including payments for a new Range Rover, has been highlighted in public reporting, though she has not been charged with any criminal wrongdoing.

Expert Observations and Official Findings

Dr Michael Baden, a forensic pathologist retained by Epstein's estate, reported that Epstein sustained fractures to multiple bones in the larynx and haemorrhages in the eyes, injuries more commonly associated with strangulation than hanging.

The New York Medical Examiner and the US Department of Justice, however, concluded that Epstein died by suicide. DOJ investigations noted that no credible information from inmates suggested a cause of death other than suicide.

Broader Congressional Investigation

The House Oversight Committee has also deposed high-profile figures, including Bill and Hillary Clinton and Les Wexner, and recently subpoenaed Attorney General Pam Bondi. The Epstein Files Transparency Act prompted the Department of Justice to release millions of documents, though the handling of redactions has drawn bipartisan criticism. Lawmakers have highlighted concerns that the identities of victims were exposed while information about influential alleged co-conspirators was heavily redacted.

Who Is Tova Noel?

Tova Noel was a correctional officer assigned to the Special Housing Unit at the Metropolitan Correctional Center during Epstein's detention. She has been implicated in failing to complete mandatory security checks, conducting searches related to Epstein on the morning of his death, and receiving significant cash deposits before the event.

Noel has not faced criminal charges but is required to provide testimony to Congress as part of the ongoing investigation into Epstein's death.

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