</s>H. S. Mepartment of Justice FEDERAL BUREAU ASSOCIATION OF NO. of of thes. of thet. 5c-5c-Hg. Investigation Bureau File Number 44/2. 388/1 Volume Number Series 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The FBI conducted extensive investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on leads, suspects, and evidence collected in the weeks following April 4, 1968, when the murder occurred in Memphis, Tennessee. Key efforts included coordinating across multiple FBI offices (Cleveland, Birmingham, Detroit, Memphis) to identify suspects, analyze vehicle records, and track individuals with suspicious behavior. A composite sketch of the suspect was circulated, describing a white male aged 26–40, approximately 5'8" to 5'11", weighing 150–170 lbs, with dark hair, blue or green eyes, and possible non-smoker habits. A rifle found near the crime scene was linked to an individual named Harvey Loweyeer or Lowyer, described as a white male in his 30s, 5'8", 150–160 lbs, with dark hair. Investigations included checking license plate records (e.g., Alabama plates 4-7-5165), vehicle rentals (e.g., a light green Mustang rented by C.H. McCormack), and surveillance of vehicles with KKK emblems or drivers with distinctive features (e.g., heavy beard, shaggy hair). The FBI requested assistance from local law enforcement to verify registered owners of vehicles and conduct fingerprint comparisons.  

Other leads included Alfred Joseph Kaminiski of Mansfield, Ohio, identified based on a citizen’s complaint resembling an artist’s depiction of the killer; Thomas Thomann, a Florida painter investigated for matching the suspect’s profile; Eric Starvo Galt in Birmingham, Alabama, flagged due to credit card checks and alleged Standard Oil Company purchases; Ed Meares in Medina, Ohio, scrutinized for anti-Black behavior despite no criminal record; and Milton Strauss in Detroit, Michigan, linked to thermoseal machine distribution. The FBI designated "ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR." as a code word for the case, emphasizing separation from racial discrimination reports. Latent fingerprints of Kaminiski and others were compared to known prints. Laundry tags from the crime scene, manufactured by the Textile Marking Machine Company in Syracuse, New York, were traced to identify laundries. An anonymous call to FBI headquarters referenced a "Vener" with inside knowledge of the assassination plot.  

Key People  
- **Martin Luther King Jr.** (assassinated on April 4, 1968)  
- **Walter Nanelli Isseell** (suspect with CVPD #93528 and FBI #397571)  
- **Louise Nolt** (Ohio resident who reported a car with KKK emblem)  
- **George More** (FBI Washington contact providing information to Detroit)  
- **James M. Sturgis** (Detroit FBI night supervisor)  
- **Alfred Joseph Kaminiski** (Mansfield, Ohio; denied involvement in the assassination)  
- **Thomas Thomann** (painter in Florida; investigated for resemblance to the killer’s profile)  
- **Eric Starvo Galt** (Birmingham, Alabama; flagged as a suspect due to credit card and purchase records)  
- **Ed Meares** (Medina, Ohio; scrutinized for anti-Black behavior despite no criminal record)  
- **Milton Strauss** (Detroit, Michigan; linked to thermoseal machine distribution)  
- **Eugene H. McCormick** (Cleveland, Ohio; interviewed about Memphis stay and overheard remarks)  
- **Donal K. Miller** (Akron, Ohio; white Mustang driver with travel history through Memphis)  
- **Joseph A. Svestka** (Detroit, Michigan; former NASA employee in Huntsville, Alabama; fingerprint comparisons requested)  
- **Alfred Joseph Kanski** (Muncie, Indiana; interviewed about alleged ties to the assassination investigation and police contact in 1967)  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** (scene of assassination; Holiday Inn where McCormick stayed)  
- **Cleveland, Ohio** (FBI office coordinating investigations; McCormick’s residence)  
- **Birmingham, Alabama** (linked to suspect activity; Galt’s residence)  
- **Akron, Ohio** (Miller’s residence)  
- **Huntsville, Alabama** (Svestka’s residence)  
- **Mansfield, Indiana** (Kanski’s residence)  
- **Eustis, Florida** (Thomann’s rental property)  
- **Spencerville, Ohio** (Thomann’s residence)  
- **Syracuse, New York** (manufacturer of laundry tags found at the crime scene)  

Key Events  
- April 4, 1968: Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee  
- April 7–8, 1968: FBI communications requesting leads on suspects, vehicle records, and fingerprint comparisons  
- Investigation into a rifle found near the crime scene linked to Harvey Loweyeer/Lowyer  
- Surveillance of vehicles with KKK emblems and suspicious drivers (e.g., white male with heavy beard)  
- Coordination between FBI offices and local law enforcement to verify suspect identities  
- FBI investigation into Alfred Joseph Kaminiski’s alibis and fingerprints  
- Thomas Thomann’s profile comparison to the killer’s artist depiction  
- Anonymous tip leading to "Ed Means" in Ohio with no match found  
- Use of "ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR." as a code word for the case  
- Credit card checks on Eric Starvo Galt and Standard Oil Company purchases  
- Scrutiny of Ed Meares’ anti-Black behavior despite his reputation  
- Investigation into Charles Jones in North Canton, Ohio, and Milton Strauss in Detroit, Michigan (deemed unrelated)  
- Interview of Eugene H. McCormick about Memphis stay and overheard remarks  
- Investigation into Donal K. Miller’s travel and vehicle details  
- Fingerprint comparisons for Joseph A. Svestka and Donal K. Miller  
- Verification of Alfred Joseph Kanski’s alleged involvement in the assassination investigation  
- Tracing laundry tags from the shooting scene to identify laundries  
- Anonymous call to FBI headquarters referencing a "Vener" with inside knowledge of the assassination plot  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted fingerprint comparisons, credit checks, and location investigations  
- **Civil Rights Division**: Mentioned in context of racial matters  
- **Local police departments** (e.g., CVPD, Birmingham, Memphis): Assisted in verifying suspect locations and statements  
- **Rental car companies** (e.g., Heritz Corp., J. Jude's Son): Investigated vehicle rentals linked to suspects  
- **Standard Oil Company**: Involved in credit card and purchase records checks  
- **Textile Marking Machine Company** (Syracuse, New York): Manufacturer of laundry tags linked to the crime scene

MLK Declassified Files

44-cv-565_738446_03-01-part_1_of_5.pdf

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