</s>OFFICIAL FORMS NO. 16 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum TO SAC Jul-1365 DATE: 5/22/68 FROM : SA DONALD M. MURRAY SUBJECT: MIRKIN Rebusirtel 5/9/68 On 5/20/66 Cecelll Lloyd, Director, and Glenn Plinchum, Section Chief, N.C. Bureau of Vital Statistics, Raleigh, N ., C ., advised this agency maintains records of undentified deceased, only after burial of same, and currently there is only one such record, and that concerns and wf found murdered in Wake Co ., N .., no. several weeks ago. The identities of bodies not buried, would be known only to the Coronor of the various counties throughout N. C. On 5 /22/66 Chief Tom Davis, Raleigh. N.G ., PD, and Sheriff Bob Pleasants, Wake Co . ,, Sheriffa Office, Raleigh, N.C ., advised they are aware of no male unidentified bodies recoversed in their areas. 2 - 14/4-1363 44-1315/1313 SEARCHED INDEXICO- SEBALIZED FILED HAY 2,3 1968 Bay U.S. Savings Bonds Regulary on the Payroll Saving Plan 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains fragmented records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other agencies regarding investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Key details include:  
- On May 18, 1968, Bill Reid, a former officer in Greer, South Carolina, reported an individual resembling James Earl Ray at the Tryon Plaza Motel in Tryon, North Carolina. Reid noted the person was in Room 3 east of the office.  
- Ruth Gordon and Thelma Burgett, residents of Tryon, provided conflicting accounts about room occupancy and individuals at the motel on May 18, 1968. Gordon mentioned Room 9 was occupied by J. Fleetwood Sienenier (Florida) and R. L. L. (South Carolina), with vehicle details linked to their licenses.  
- On June 5, 1968, the FBI circulated information about an individual resembling Ray at the Tryon Plaza Motel, based on Reid’s report. The document references a teletype from SAC Charlotte to Memphis, noting 15 copies of an insert with this information.  
- A memorandum dated June 4, 1968, details efforts by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to assist the FBI in screening driver’s license records for individuals matching Ray’s description. Leron Roberts was tasked with programming data for this search.  
- John Grimes, U.S. Secret Service agent, reported a call from a telephone operator in Mt. Holly, North Carolina, who claimed to have been in a taxi with Ray prior to his photo appearing in the media. Rose Fitch described a man with a beard and limp, but discrepancies led to no further action due to concerns about Mrs. Pitch’s mental state.  
- A teletype from June 6, 1968, states that James Earl Ray resided in Canada from April 6, 1966, until May 6, 1958 (likely a date error). It notes Ray may have used a Canadian passport and was associated with individuals like Paul Bridman and Amon George Sneyd.  
- The Treasury Department confirmed a June 3, 1968, phone call with FBI agent Crawford Williams about Mrs. Pitch’s information, noting she had not officially come to the attention of the Secret Service.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK; reported sightings in North Carolina and Canada.  
- **Bill Reid**: Former officer in Greer, South Carolina, who identified an individual resembling Ray at the Tryon Plaza Motel.  
- **Ruth Gordon** and **Thelma Burgett**: Residents of Tryon, North Carolina, who provided conflicting accounts about motel occupants and sightings.  
- **Leron Roberts**: Programmer for the North Carolina DMV’s driver’s license records, assisting the FBI in screening data.  
- **John Grimes**: U.S. Secret Service agent involved in tracking Ray’s movements.  
- **Rose Fitch**: Witness in Mt. Holly, North Carolina, who described a man with a beard and limp.  
- **Mrs. Pitch**: Alleged to have provided information about Ray, though her credibility was questioned due to mental health concerns.  

Key Locations  
- **Tryon Plaza Motel**, Tryon, North Carolina: Central location for sightings and room occupancy reports.  
- **Mount Holly, North Carolina**: Site of alleged taxi encounter with James Earl Ray.  
- **Raleigh, North Carolina**: Headquarters of the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).  
- **Toronto, Canada**: Mentioned as a residence for Ray and Amon George Sneyd.  

Key Events  
- **May 18, 1968**: Reports of an individual resembling James Earl Ray at Tryon Plaza Motel.  
- **June 5, 1968**: FBI circulated information about Ray’s possible presence in North Carolina based on Reid’s report.  
- **June 4–6, 1968**: FBI and DMV efforts to screen driver’s license records for Ray’s identification.  
- **June 3, 1968**: Secret Service agent John Grimes received a call about Ray’s alleged presence in Mt. Holly.  
- **May 6, 1958 (likely error)**: Teletype notes Ray’s residency in Canada and association with Amon George Sneyd.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted surveillance, coordinated with local agencies, and tracked James Earl Ray.  
- **U.S. Secret Service**: Involved in monitoring potential threats and verifying witness accounts.  
- **North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)**: Assisted the FBI by screening driver’s license records for Ray’s identification.  
- **Treasury Department**: Confirmed communication with FBI agents regarding Mrs. Pitch’s information.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ce-1365_738554_05-01-part_3_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search