</s>AREA CODE NAME AND ADDRESS EXCHANGE TEL NO. 749-0391 Merry J letters 149-0371 Merry 11 WEL-1-7285 The Mors 9.0 WEL.1-9285 Materile Dost Miller 3.25.51/1/1 Cover at Mountain West M Wilt Oit. 2994 Candy 2023 P2/2/2626 Cypital hope.10 Mond 229-0668 Lutured at 15.00m 227-9244 Milk margat. Du 1-7385X Mid in.m.australian fandicatian sase 9/21-0666 15/8/2018 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on forensic evidence, suspect identification, and connections to firearms and vehicles. A 30-06 rifle found in Memphis is linked to the fatal shooting at the Lorraine Hotel on April 4, 1968. The weapon was traced to a white 1966 Mustang registered to Eric Starvo Galt, which contained Thermo-Seal laundry tapes with codes potentially tied to James Earl Ray. The FBI sought to identify individuals associated with Thermo-Seal machines and investigated leads involving car dealers in Atlanta, including checks on purchases made by Ray. A flight from Washington to Atlanta on April 4, 1968, was examined for a passenger carrying a rifle box labeled "Maurice," later connected to the assassination. The FBI also pursued leads on Clark, who met an unknown person in Atlanta around the time of King’s death, and issued a wanted flyer for James Earl Ray.  

Key People  
- **Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.**: Assassinated on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Identified as the suspect linked to the assassination; his movements and connections to firearms, vehicles, and Thermo-Seal tapes were investigated.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: Owner of a 1966 white Mustang found in Memphis with forensic evidence tied to the assassination.  
- **John C. John (Thomas)**: Reported seeing a man with a rifle box labeled "Maurice" on Delta Flight 725.  
- **Clark**: A person at Ft. Benning who met an unknown individual in Atlanta around the time of King’s death.  
- **Cpl Terrier W. Gibson (ASN)**: AWOL from January 26–18, 1968, potentially associated with Memphis Team or Chicagoland areas.  
- **BROWN**: Described as a drifter with no car ownership or driving history, not involved in MLK-related activities.  
- **Mrs. Frank McKinley**: Observed a man matching the description of "Ray" near their home in Hapeville-College Park area.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of the Lorraine Hotel where King was shot; location of the white Mustang and rifle found.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Center for FBI investigations into car dealers, media reports, and connections to Ray.  
- **Washington National Airport**: Departure point for Delta Flight 725, which carried a passenger with a rifle box labeled "Maurice."  
- **Ft. Benning, Georgia**: Location where Clark met an unknown person in Atlanta around the time of King’s assassination.  
- **Hapeville-College Park area**: Where Mrs. Frank McKinley observed a man matching "Ray"’s description.  
- **Chicagoland area**: Mentioned as a potential location for Cpl Terrier W. Gibson’s association with Memphis Team activities.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis by a single bullet from a 30-06 rifle.  
- **April 11–12, 1968**: FBI recovered a Remington model 760 rifle from a car abandoned near South Main Street in Memphis, linked to the assassination.  
- **April 4–6, 1968**: FBI investigated car dealers in Atlanta for purchases made by James Earl Ray or connections to Thermo-Seal tapes.  
- **April 19, 1968**: FBI issued a wanted flyer for James Earl Ray and directed agents to check media reports and credit records for leads.  
- **April 22, 1968**: FBI expanded investigations to include Delta Airlines flight manifests and car dealers in Atlanta for potential connections to the suspect.  
- **January 19, 1968**: Cpl Terrier W. Gibson was noted as AWOL from January 26–18, 1968, with possible ties to Memphis Team or Chicagoland areas.  
- **January 18, 1968**: Ralph D. Rupin described BROWN as a drifter with no car ownership or driving history, not involved in MLK-related activities.  
- **April 22, 1968**: Mrs. Frank McKinley reported seeing a man matching the description of "Ray" near their home.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)**: Conducted forensic analysis, interviewed witnesses, and coordinated with local agencies to track suspects and evidence.  
- **Delta Airlines**: Provided flight manifests for Delta Flight 725, which was examined for a passenger carrying a rifle box labeled "Maurice."  
- **Atlanta Journal and Atlanta Constitution**: Searched for classified ads or news items that might explain James Earl Ray’s movements or purchases.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Collaborated with the FBI to investigate the scene of the assassination and recover evidence from the white Mustang.  
- **Georgia Bureau of Investigation**: Involved in reporting on Ralph D. Rupin’s findings regarding BROWN.  
- **SAC (Special Agent in Charge) units in Atlanta and Memphis**: Coordinated investigations into suspects and evidence related to the assassination.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_158-04-part_2_of_5.pdf

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