</s>4456 (REV. 11-20-73) SERIALS C3220-6337 44-HO-38981 H. S. Departament of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS I ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION FEDERAL BUREAU CLASSIFIED INFORMATION ENCLOSES SECTION 94 PIONE-A INVESTIGATION ATTENTION SECTION 84 SERIALIS 0320-537 BEFORE CHANGING CLASSIFICATION OR PROCESSING ANY DOCUMENT FROM THIS FILE FOR RELEASE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, CONTACT FO/PA SECTION UNIT D, EXT. 5767. F01/PA SECTION UNITD, EXIT. 567. USE GANE IN DANLUNO IO RILLE DO NOT DESTROY HISTORICAL VALUE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Transfer-Call 3421 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail an FBI investigation into allegations linking Burgess Audie Wilson to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. Wilson is alleged to have purchased a Bonanza aircraft (registry number N34L) from Don Fisher in Kansas City, Missouri, and used it to travel to Memphis, Tennessee, where he shot King. FAA records indicate the plane was last registered under "N34L" in 1956 and transferred to Wilson in 1968. The investigation notes discrepancies in Wilson’s claims about his employment history at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base and his alleged association with Lou Crews, a jeweler in Grandview, Missouri. Interviews with Fisher revealed conflicting accounts of the plane’s ownership, including its prior transfer from C.C. Miller to Fisher before sale to Wilson. The FBI concluded no further investigation was warranted for Wilson’s allegations.  

Separate documents reference Elaine Dunkelberger’s research linking James Earl Ray (alleged assassin) to Andrew R.I. McNaughton, a Canadian advocate of Laetrile (an alternative cancer treatment). Dunkelberger claimed McNaughton operated gunrunning networks in Israel, Cuba, and Latin America and smuggled Laetrile from Mexico into the U.S. She theorized McNaughton, a double agent supporting Castro, may have orchestrated King’s assassination due to his opposition to civil rights activism. Dunkelberger also alleged McNaughton’s ties to the Kennedy assassination, citing connections to the Bay of Pigs incident. The FBI noted these claims as speculative but acknowledged their inclusion in investigative records.  

Key People  
- Burgess Audie Wilson: Alleged owner of the Bonanza aircraft; investigated for potential ties to King’s assassination.  
- James Earl Ray: Suspected assassin of MLK, linked to McNaughton through Dunkelberger’s claims.  
- Andrew R.I. McNaughton: Canadian advocate of Laetrile; alleged connections to drug operations, gun running, and possible involvement in assassinations.  
- Elaine Dunkelberger: Researcher who claimed to have discovered links between Ray, McNaughton, and the assassination.  
- Betty Lou Wade: Ex-wife of Burgess Audie Wilson; stated Wilson was in Missouri during King’s assassination and described him as mentally unstable.  

Key Locations  
- Kansas City, Missouri: Plane transactions, interviews with Fisher and Miller.  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Site of King’s assassination; referenced in Wilson’s alleged activities.  
- Grandview, Missouri: Wilson’s residence and Lou Crews’ business location.  
- Canada (Montreal): Mentioned as a location for McNaughton’s Laetrile-related activities.  
- Mexico: Linked to McNaughton’s smuggling of Laetrile into the U.S.  
- Cuba, Israel, Latin America: Locations associated with McNaughton’s alleged paramilitary operations.  

Key Events  
- Investigation into Wilson’s ownership and use of the Bonanza aircraft (registry N34L) in 1968.  
- Examination of Wilson’s purchase of a Ford Thunderbird after King’s assassination, contradicting his claims.  
- FBI interviews with Elaine Dunkelberger and Betty Lou Wade regarding McNaughton’s alleged ties to assassinations.  
- Dunkelberger’s claims about McNaughton’s paramilitary activities, Laetrile smuggling, and connections to Castro and the Bay of Pigs incident.  
- FBI determination that no further investigation was needed for Wilson’s allegations.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted primary investigations into Wilson, McNaughton, and Dunkelberger’s claims.  
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): Provided records on aircraft ownership and usage.  
- McNaughton Foundation: Founded by Andrew R.I. McNaughton for independent scientific research.  
- Congressional Assassination Committee: Referenced in Ray’s testimony about alleged ties to the Kennedy assassination.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_31-02-part_1_of_6.pdf

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