</s>LA 26-53238 LA 44-1574 a wrong number. The number given was the true number of the plane read backwards, as Mrs. COPE compared these numbers the following day. During conversation while they were filling the plane with gas the pilot on the Cessna Skymaster commented that he has come to Blythe on his first long cross country flight, which he had started in San Jose, California. He also commented that he had built a 600 flying flight time. but since that he built a full-time flight time, After Mrs. COPP returned to her house trailer she noted that cessna did not start its engines or leave the airport but almost an hour. The man did not say where he was going, but mentioned that he did live or San Jose, California. He was very polite and considerate, MPS, COPP stated that Sergeant BUSBY of the Rialto, California Police Department had previously contacted her regarding this police department had previously contacted her He showed her numerous photographs but none of the photographs were identical with the man who brought the plane into Blythe. She felt certain she could positively identify him if she ever saw him again. 2 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The text contains multiple FBI FD-302 forms and investigative records from April–May 1968 documenting interviews and inquiries related to individuals potentially connected to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Key figures include seaman Eric Gain (possibly linked to James Earl Ray), Pat Olson, and others associated with Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Orleans, and Tampa, Florida. The documents detail witness statements about sightings of suspects, phone number checks, background investigations, and connections to vehicles, businesses, and residences. Specific inquiries focused on identifying individuals with ties to MLK, including potential associates like Helen Corneil, Dyrell Dennis, and Sandra Jean Handy. The FBI’s non-recommendatory nature is noted, referencing Executive Order 14176 for document release.  

Key People  
- **Eric Gain**: A seaman aboard the *American Victory* ship, possibly connected to New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama; referenced as a potential alias for James Earl Ray.  
- **Pat Olson**: A woman linked to the Le Bonjour Club in Los Angeles, associated with narcotics, and connected to Rita Stein and Sandra Jean Handy.  
- **Marie Martin**: Resident of Los Angeles who identified Dyrell Dennis as a lesbian date for James Earl Ray and described Helen Corneil (last name unknown) as a Caucasian female associated with Ray.  
- **Dyrell Dennis**: Identified by Marie Martin as someone believed to be a lesbian date for James Earl Ray.  
- **Helen Corneil**: Described by Marie Martin as a Caucasian female associated with James Earl Ray; last name unspecified.  
- **Sandra Jean Handy**: A topless dancer in South Gate, California, associated with Pat Olson and the Le Bonjour Club.  
- **Rita Stein**: Shared residence with Pat Olson in Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles; mentioned contact with Eric Galt.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure in the MLK assassination investigation; identified by multiple witnesses through photographs.  
- **Walter De Morat**: Bartender at Dante’s bar in Hollywood who denied recognizing James Earl Ray or his associates.  
- **Ella Marie Brown**: Owner of The Rail beer parlor in Hollywood who confirmed she did not know James Earl Ray.  
- **Wayne Graff**: Barber on Hollywood Boulevard who speculated about cutting the hair of someone resembling James Earl Ray.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Francis Hotel, Los Angeles**: A telephone booth used by Harry V. Montgomery and others; associated with Pat Olson and Marie Martin’s statements.  
- **Le Bonjour Club**, 508 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles: Linked to Pat Olson, Sandra Jean Handy, and Rita Stein.  
- **San Francisco** and **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Mentioned in connection to Eric Gain’s possible travel history.  
- **Tampa, Florida**: Home of Marlene Manson’s mother, George B. Duvernoys.  
- **South Gate, California**: Location of the “Body Shop” where Sandra Jean Handy worked.  
- **Dante’s bar**, 5500 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles: Associated with Walter De Morat.  
- **The Rail beer parlor**, 5511 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles: Linked to Ella Marie Brown.  

Key Events  
- **Telephone number inquiries**: FBI checked phone records for individuals linked to suspects or potential witnesses (e.g., Mrs. Lillian Simpson in Salisbury, North Carolina; Mrs. Sidney Hammond in San Diego).  
- **Witness identifications**: Marie Martin provided details about Helen Corneil and Pat Olson’s alleged associations with James Earl Ray.  
- **Interviews with bar staff**: Walter De Morat and Ella Marie Brown denied knowledge of James Earl Ray’s identity or activities.  
- **Hair-cutting speculation**: Wayne Graff indicated he might have cut the hair of someone resembling James Earl Ray but lacked specific information.  
- **Background checks**: FBI reviewed records for individuals like Eric Gain, Pat Olson, and others to assess potential connections to the MLK assassination investigation.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, phone number checks, and background investigations; referenced release under Executive Order 14176.  
- **Seafarer International Union**: Mentioned as a possible source for identifying Eric Gain’s identity.  
- **Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company**: Provided records for Mrs. Lillian Simpson in Salisbury, North Carolina.  
- **California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)**: Involved in vehicle registration and license plate inquiries.  
- **Bakersfield Police Department**: Mentioned in connection to John Willard’s records.  
- **U.S. Selective Service System**: Linked to Werner Wilhelm Gohl’s records.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_008-01-part_4_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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