Police Officially Conclude 'D.C. Madam' Hanged Herself

The Tarpon Springs Police Department this week released its report on the investigation into the death of Deborah Palfrey, otherwise known as the "D.C. Madam."

The department is saying the same thing it said after Palfrey's body was found May 1 in her mother's shed at Sun Valley Mobile Home Park: Palfrey, 52, hanged herself.

"When there is a high-profile case like that, people always have their theories," said Lt. Barbara Templeton of the Tarpon Springs Police Department. "There was no evidence to suggest anyone orchestrated her death. ... She took her own life."

Much of what is contained in the report already has surfaced.

Palfrey dreaded the notion of going to prison after her conviction on money-laundering and racketeering charges. She had operated a Washington prostitution ring that catered to the rich and powerful, and she faced a maximum sentence of 55 years in prison.

One of Palfrey's escorts also had hanged herself. Brandy Britton used a scarf suspended from a bedroom door, the report states.

Palfrey's mother, Blanche, last saw her daughter alive less than an hour before finding her in the shed, the police department's report states. Her daughter had told her she did not feel well and was going to take a nap.

The report also states that the night before she killed herself, Palfrey and her mother watched an old video of Palfrey's deceased father.

It also states that people with whom Palfrey was discussing a book proposal - before she was convicted -- noted she thought she was going to be found guilty. One of those people, Dan Moldea, told authorities that three times she had confided in him that she was considering suicide.

"He stated that she was simply depressed over her looming legal troubles, fearing she would lose all her assets and serve time in prison," the report states.

In the book proposal, on page 34, is a quote attributed to Palfrey: "I considered suicide after my arrests. Every girl in similar situations who emailed me sympathy - the Vegas Madam, the High-Tech Madam - have all considered suicide. No one knows what it's like to be in this position. This is like being in a [Franz] Kafka novel."

Palfrey's appointment books also indicate she was transferring money from her accounts to her mother's in the days before her suicide.

"This is consistent with the information contained in Deborah's [suicide] note to her mother in which she states that there is [a] "little surprise" for you in the BOA account," one police report states. BOA is Bank of America.

Investigators also went through Palfrey's computer to ensure there was nothing suspicious, Templeton said.

"Each step was taken to make sure [her death] was scrutinized and investigated to the fullest extent," Templeton said.

Some 200 pictures associated with the suicide were made available for viewing this week.