A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the release of an alleged suicide note purportedly written by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, marking the first time the document has been made public.

The note was reportedly found by Epstein's former cellmate at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City, Nicholas Tartaglione, who claimed he discovered it after Epstein's unsuccessful suicide attempt in July 2019. Epstein was found dead in his jail cell weeks later in August 2019.

According to reports, portions of the note include the phrases "they investigated me for months - found nothing" and "time to say goodbye." The document was allegedly found in a graphic novel.

The release came as part of proceedings in Tartaglione's separate criminal case, following an unsealing request by The New York Times. The judge sided with the request to make the document public after it had remained sealed for years.

Multiple news organizations, including The New York Times and CBS News, have stated they have not independently authenticated the note. Epstein was awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges at the time of his death.

Epstein's death was ruled a suicide by hanging by the New York City medical examiner, though it sparked numerous conspiracy theories and ongoing legal proceedings related to his alleged crimes.