Sen. John Kennedy John Neely KennedyMORE (R-La.) on Tuesday called for a thorough investigation into the death of multimillionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying during a Senate hearing that Americans deserve "answers."

At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Kathleen Sawyer, Kennedy quipped: "Christmas ornaments, drywall and Jerry Epstein — name three things that don't hang themselves."

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"That's what the American people think," he continued.

Addressing Sawyer, he then added: "I know that you're not in charge of these investigations. But you talk to the people who are. And I need you to take a very respectful message today: Tell the American people what happened."

"And don't rush it so they don't do a thorough investigation. But you and I both know [that] they can make this a top priority, and get it done more quickly than they normally would," Kennedy said.

.@Senjohnkennedy: “Christmas ornaments, drywall and Jeffrey Epstein - name three things that don’t hang themselves. That’s what the American people think...and they deserve some answers."



Full video here: https://t.co/Ku68U52JAV pic.twitter.com/0DDiQYgVHh — CSPAN (@cspan) November 19, 2019

Epstein was found dead in a Manhattan detention center earlier this year after being arrested on sex trafficking charges. The state medical examiner concluded Epstein had committed suicide, though some lawmakers and others have expressed suspicions about whether he had been strangled.

Kennedy's remarks came as two jail employees on duty the night of Epstein's death were indicted for allegedly making false records to cover up their failure to check on him.

Epstein previously pleaded guilty in 2008 to felony solicitation of prostitution involving a minor.

He faced new sex trafficking charges after outrage over the lack of severity of his previous 18-month sentence.