</s>18-15-15* SERVINGS 3313-2220 44-HO-38981 H. S. Department of Justice MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FIL ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION FEDERAL BUREAU SECTION 32 HISTORY L VALUE NATIONAL ARCHIVES DO NOT DESTROY HEREIN IS UNCLASSCOFTINED HERE IN IS UNCLUSIVATED DATE/LALA BY SAGELA INVESTICATION SETT.A. 32 SEPTIALS 31-31-3220 ATTENTION BEFORE CHANGING CLASSIFICATION OR PROCESSING ANY DOCUMENT FROM THIS FILE FOR RELEASE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, CONTACT FOI/PA SECTION UNIT D, EXT. 5767. USE DARE - HANDLING THIS-FILE F8/PA SEDOJ Transfer-Call 421 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178

Summary  
A 1964 Chevrolet with Michigan license DC814 was found at Atlanta Municipal Airport on May 7, 1968, containing a body identified as Robert Joseph Dunaway (FBI Number 841 C). A bullet removed from the body by the medical examiner on May 8, 1968, was sent to the FBI Laboratory for analysis. The Bureau requested comparison with suspect firearms.  

The document includes fragmented records of James Earl Ray’s motel registrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Colombia. Ray registered under aliases (e.g., Eric S. Galt) at the Provincet Hotel on December 17–19, 1967, driving a white Mustang with Alabama license plates. Registration cards list his address as 2005 Highland Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama, and include Colombian addresses such as Carrera 15: 5:45 Madellin, Colombia.  

The FBI requested the Department of State to locate individuals in Colombia and exhibit photographs of Ray to determine if they recall him at the motel or have information about his activities. Photographs of Ray are attached, including images from 1960 and 1968. The document notes Ray’s physical description: 5'11", 163–174 lbs, medium build, brown hair (possibly short-cut), blue eyes, medium complexion, white race, American nationality, with a small scar on the forehead and palm of the right hand.  

Key People  
- **Robert Joseph Dunaway**: Identified as the body found in Atlanta; FBI Number 841 C.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Subject of investigation; registered under aliases at New Orleans motels.  
- **Eric S. Galt**: Alias used by Ray for motel registration.  
- **Maria Meredith Battero, Josefia Nova Deiroiro, and others**: Individuals listed in Colombian addresses.  

Key Locations  
- **Atlanta Municipal Airport**: Site of body discovery on May 7, 1968.  
- **Provincet Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana**: Motel where Ray registered under aliases (December 17–19, 1967).  
- **Carrera 15: 5:45 Madellin, Colombia**: Colombian address linked to Ray’s registration records.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Address listed on Ray’s motel registration cards.  

Key Events  
- Discovery of Dunaway’s body at Atlanta Airport on May 7, 1968.  
- FBI request for bullet analysis and comparison with suspect firearms.  
- Investigation into James Earl Ray’s motel stays in New Orleans (December 17–19, 1967).  
- Requests to Department of State to locate Colombian contacts of Ray.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Central to the investigation, coordinating bullet analysis, motel registration reviews, and requests for international assistance.  
- **United States Department of State**: Involved in locating individuals in Colombia and providing information on Ray’s activities.  
- **FBI Laboratory**: Conducted forensic analysis of the bullet recovered from Dunaway’s body.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_10-01-part_1_of_4.pdf

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