The longtime bodyguard of Jeffrey Epstein has spoken out about his former employer, saying he believes Epstein had help committing suicide.
In an interview with New York Magazine, former UFC fighter Igor Zinoviev said the disgraced financier did not die alone.
"Somebody helped him to do that," said Zinoviev on Friday.
He declined to elaborate, saying "listen, you know, that's going a little too deep."
In an unpublished 2015 interview with the same reporter, Zinoviev spoke about Epstein's relationship with young girls.
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He said then he often saw young girls at Epstein's house, even after he had served time, and would try and discourage his boss.
"So many times I try to stop him," he said.
"I try to tell him my opinion about that. He don't listen to me. That's the reason I'm not working for him no more," he told the interviewer.
He also said Epstein's money and power meant he got away with his crimes.
"He have so much money he can pay it off. Me personally, if I caught him with my daughter or something do that - I'm not going to go to police. I do something else. Much worse. That guy could try sue me and manipulate the situation with his money. That's the American way," Zinoviev said in 2015.
But in this week's interview, Zinoviev denied ever seeing young girls at Epstein's house and appeared to be concerned for his safety if he spoke out.
Zinoviev also denied telling the reporter in 2015 Epstein would get warnings from police before they visited his home, insinuating it could put both himself and the interviewer in trouble.
"Listen, don't put yourself in trouble, seriously," he told the reporter on Friday.
Before ending the interview, Zinoviev warned the reporter to "be careful."
"Just be careful, I'm not kidding," he said. He refused to have anything emailed to him.
"Don't do any kind of that stuff. Just don't play it. Seriously."
He also refused to comment on whether the FBI had contacted him, ending the interview promptly.
Where to find help and support:
Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
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