Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in his prison cell on Saturday at 7am local time, had told guards that someone was trying to kill him, it has been revealed.

The 66-year-old was being held on sex trafficking charges at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in Manhattan when he was found hanged.

Jeffrey Epstein was an American financier and convicted sex offender (REUTERS)

The claims that Epstein believed someone was trying to kill him came from an insider who had seen him on several occasions during his stay in the prison.

A source told MailOnline: “From what I saw, he was finally starting to adjust to prison. I think he was comforted by the rigidity of his new life.”

The Metropolitan Correctional Center jail where financier Epstein was found dead. (REUTERS)

A source told The Daily Beast that Epstein was being bullied at the prison.

According to the media outlet, Epstein had been forced to live “like a pig in a sty” even eating his meals off the floor.

The US Department of Justice has said Epstein’s death was an “apparent suicide” and said the FBI is investigating.

Epstein allegedly ran a sex ring of young girls forced to perform sex acts for his famous and rich friends.

Lawyer for some of Epstein’s alleged victims, Lisa Bloom, said that they “would have preferred he lived to face justice”.

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Another lawyer representing some of Epstein’s victims, Brad Edwards, said: “The fact that Jeffrey Epstein was able to commit the selfish act of taking his own life as his world of abuse, exploitation, and corruption unraveled is both unfortunate and predictable.

“The victims deserved to see Epstein held accountable, and he owed it to everyone he hurt to accept responsibility for all of the pain he caused.”

Epstein pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and conspiracy charges in July and was being held without bail.

Jennifer Araoz, who has claimed to be a victim, told NBC News: “I am angry Jeffrey Epstein won’t have to face his survivors of his abuse in court. We have to live with the scars of his actions for the rest of our lives, while he will never face the consequences of the crimes he committed”.