</s>(REV. 4:15:40) H. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDRED TO THIS FILED (MATEURAL MUST NOT be REMOVEO FROM OR ADDED TO THE FILED) DO NOT NESTROY E FEDERAL BUREAU DO NOT DESTROY PENDING LITIGATION FIELD OFFICE FILE of FOIPA PROCESSED INVESTIGATION INV.ESTIGATIATION "DO NOT BEGT PIO Number 44-3816/ Volume Number: 3 Satellite: 366-3 HIC U.S.U.N. ., JE. NATIONAL ARGHIVES" ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FORTHISTORICAL 3 See also Nos. / Ice destroyed DECLASSIFICATION per SAC. Startzell 5-6-0-11-18 SEE VOL 1 ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED WERE'S A CLASSIFIED FOR LITICATIONS ADVENTURE: A.P.C.CASSIFIED See Next Section 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail FBI investigations into Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, focusing on forensic evidence, suspect identification, and background checks. An autopsy report confirms a gunshot wound to King's spinal cord, with the bullet entering his right jaw and exiting near his left heel. The FBI sought to identify individuals linked to King's itinerary, including purchases of firearms and binoculars, and cross-referenced records for suspects like John Willard, Eric Starvo Galt, and Harvey Lowemeyer. Investigations included checking employment histories, criminal records, and latent fingerprints. The Bureau also coordinated with local agencies to locate potential witnesses or suspects, such as a Delta Airlines employee observed near King's travel dates.  

Key People:  
- **Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.** (victim)  
- **Floyd Agnew** (sold laundry equipment to Hood brothers in 1964)  
- **Robert and Melvin Hood** (acquired thermos/al machine from Agnew)  
- **John Willard** (suspect; employment records checked for Seattle activity)  
- **Eric Starvo Galt** (subject of background checks)  
- **Harvey Lowemeyer** (criminal record reviewed, no match found)  
- **Jerome Wallis Vernon** (included in suspect composite and photo comparisons)  
- **Dr. Jerry T. Francisco** (performed autopsy on King)  
- **Dr. July T. Transisco** (assisted in autopsy findings)  

Key Locations:  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** (autopsy conducted, hospital records requested)  
- **Birmingham, Alabama** (rifle purchase linked to suspect)  
- **Amory, Mississippi** (laundry business sold by Agnew)  
- **Seattle, Washington** (John Willard's employment location)  
- **Delta Airlines Counter** (suspect observed during King's travel dates)  
- **Quincy, Illinois** (family connections for Harvey Lowemeyer)  

Key Events:  
- **April 4, 1968**: Dr. King assassinated; autopsy conducted in Memphis.  
- **April 10–12, 1968**: FBI coordinated investigations into suspects, including background checks and fingerprint comparisons.  
- **March 30, 1968**: Rifle purchase in Birmingham linked to suspect.  
- **April 4, 1968**: Binoculars purchased in Memphis tied to suspect.  
- **March 27, 1968**: Delta Airlines employee observed at counter during King's travel.  
- **April 15–16, 1968**: Hospital records and autopsy report scheduled for release.  

Key Organizations:  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)** (central coordinating agency)  
- **Memphis Division FBI** (handled autopsy, hospital records, and local investigations)  
- **Birmingham Division FBI** (investigated rifle purchase)  
- **Delta Airlines** (suspect observed at counter)  
- **San Diego County Sheriff's Office** (criminal record check for Harvey Lowemeyer)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_62a-01-part_1_of_2.pdf

Document Summary

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