</s>FBI MEMPHIS FBI NEWARK 412PM URGENT 4-12-68 LMD TO DIRECTOR, PHILADELPHIA, AND MEMPHIIS FROM NEWARK (44-854) (P) MURKIN RE SUSPECT JOHN WILLARD. RE NEW YORK TELETYPE DATED FOUR NINE LAST, LIST OF INDIVIDUALS WITH AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDS. ONE JOHN D. WILLARD, ACCORDING TO AMERICAN EXPESS CO ., WAS ASSIGNED USAF BASE, CALIFORNIA. INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED JOHN D. WILLARD PRESENTLY IN PHILadELPHIIA, PA ., AREA, WITH ADDRESS OF TWENTYFOUR WEST GOVERNOR RD ., Hershey, PA. PRETEXT TO THIS ADDRESS TO WILLARD'S MOTHER-IN-LAW, KATHERINE SMITH, DISCLOSES JOHN WILLAR RESIDES AT ONE ZERO THREE GREAT RD ... MAPLE SHADE, NJ, AND EMPLOYED BY DEAN WITTER BROKERAGE HOUSE, ONE SIX TWO SEVEN CHESTNUT ST ., PHILDELPHILA, PA .. INQUIRY AT ONE ZERO THREE CHESTUNT ST . ,, MAPLE SHADES, NJ. THROUGH CONTACT WITH NEIGHBORS, DISCLOSED WILLARD AWAY FOR WEEKEND AND WHERE- ABOUTS UNKNOWN, PHILLADELPIA ATTEMPT TO LOCATE OFFICER OF DEAN WITTER BROKERAGE HOUSE AND DETERMINE WHITER WILLARDSARCHED. SEALALIZED, FILLED.3. END PAGE ONE Willard APR 2 1968 FB1 MEMPHIS 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The document contains multiple FBI telegrams dated April 13, 1968, detailing investigative efforts related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4, 1968). Key elements include:  
- Identification of Harvey Edward Lommeeyer (FBI No. 730979) and Ginger Nance (Ginger Day), with requests to interview Nance for potential associations with Lommeeyer.  
- Accounts from Memphis fire station officers who were present during the shooting, noting no direct hearing of gunfire but descriptions of "something" heard. Officers fled to the scene, describing movement toward the Lorraine Motel and surrounding areas. The shooting was estimated to have occurred approximately five minutes after 6:00 PM on April 4.  
- Examination of the Rebel Motel (Room 34) and Lorraine Motel, including witness statements from Andy Gast (Rebel Motel employee) who reported a door slam in Room 34 at 10:00 PM. Soil samples were collected, and fingerprints were taken from employees except Sara Loving.  
- Blueprints of the Lorraine Motel provided by Frank Lanksy for crime scene analysis.  
- A report on Janet Susan De Vita (San Francisco) claiming a blurred photograph of King in her locket, though she is deemed unreliable by informants.  

Key People  
- Harvey Edward Lommeeyer (FBI No. 730979): Subject of investigation for potential ties to the assassination.  
- Ginger Nance (Ginger Day): Resided in Dixon, Illinois; requested for interview due to possible association with Lommeeyer.  
- Andy Gast: Rebel Motel employee who reported activity at Room 34 on April 4.  
- Frank Lanksy: Architect of the Lorraine Motel who provided blueprints for investigation.  
- Janet Susan De Vita: Claimed possession of a blurred photograph of King in her locket.  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Fire station where officers were present during the shooting; Rebel Motel (Room 34) and Lorraine Motel investigated.  
- Dixon, Illinois: Residence of Ginger Nance.  
- San Francisco, California: Location of Janet Susan De Vita.  

Key Events  
- Investigation into Harvey Edward Lommeeyer’s potential involvement in the assassination.  
- Interviews with Memphis fire station officers detailing their actions during and after the shooting.  
- Examination of the Rebel Motel and Lorraine Motel for physical evidence, including soil samples and fingerprints.  
- Request to interview Ginger Nance for possible links to Lommeeyer.  
- Report on Janet Susan De Vita’s claim regarding a photograph of King in her locket.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted the investigation, coordinated interviews, and collected evidence.  
- Memphis Police Department: Officers interviewed as witnesses.  
- Shelby County Sheriff’s Office: Involved in initial crime scene response.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_62a-01-part_2_of_2.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search