Saudi critic Khashoggi, 59, is said to have been chopped up by a 15-strong hit team at the building in Istanbul, Turkey.
Turkish spies have told officials they eavesdropped on the October 2 killing, with US officials notified.
The audio recording in particular is said to provide “persuasive and gruesome” evidence that an assassin team was responsible, officials said.
It is said to have captured Khashoggi’s screams as he was beaten then hacked to pieces.
A source told Khashoggi’s paper, The Washington Post: “You can hear his voice and men speaking Arabic.
“You can hear how he was interrogated, tortured then murdered.” Saudi officials say Khashoggi left the consulate shortly after entering but CCTV suggests otherwise.
The journalist had long-standing ties to the Saudi royals, but become an arch critic of Donald Trump ally Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has denied foul play.
Saudi and Turkish officials are investigating.
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