</s>HRD: rwma 44-775 UNIDENTIFIED DEATHS Missouri, Police Department, MC GAHAN, Fingerprint Section, St. Louis, Sergant BUFORD MC Gahan, Fingerpoint Section, City Corner, St. Louis. Police Department. and Mrs. HELEN TAYLOR, City Coroner, St. Louisiana, Missouri, advised SA JAMES SA DEARBORN on May 10, 1968, the Fingerprint, advised S. JAMES S. DEARBORN on May 1, 1968. undidentified cadavars in the City of St. Louisiana. Police department and checks all obtains their fingerprints if the condition of the body will allow. These prints are forwarded to the FBI identification division. No underprints are forwarded 4, the FBI IDENTIFICATION DIVISION. St.Louis, Missouri. since April 4, 1968 On the same date Detective JOHN LARRISON, St, Louis County, Missouri. Police Department advised SA DEARBORN, the same procedure is followed by his Department in St.Louis County, Missouri and that no undentified white male cadaveras had been found since April 1, 1968. Sergent PAUL NAUMAANN, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troop C, Kirkwood, Missouri; advised SA DEADBORN. that the Patrol performs a similar service for the coroners and Police Departments in the rural areas of Missouri. 89 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s movements and associations following his escape from the Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967, with a focus on his potential involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Interviews conducted between April 4–May 24, 1968, included former inmates at the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP), family members, and individuals connected to Ray’s past activities. Walter E. Nolan, an inmate who shared a cell with Ray, testified that Ray had no criminal history outside prison, avoided associating with others, and would not commit murder unless to avoid returning to prison. Nolan explicitly stated he did not believe Ray was responsible for MLK’s assassination due to perceived personality mismatches. Other interviews with inmates like William Russell and Chester Spratt described Ray as a quiet, unassuming man with no close friends in prison and no prior knowledge of his escape plans. Jerry Raynes, Ray’s father, provided details about family interactions, property transactions, and Ray’s alleged involvement in criminal activities in Joplin, Missouri. Carol Pepper, Ray’s sister, denied contact with him since 1967 and discussed her father’s financial dealings, including the sale of a St. Louis property estimated at $1,000,000. The FBI also sought information on potential ties to individuals like Sherrill and referenced retaliation threats against witnesses.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect linked to MLK’s assassination; subject of FBI investigations into his movements, associations, and alleged criminal activities.  
- **Walter E. Nolan**: Inmate at MSP who shared a cell with Ray; provided testimony about Ray’s behavior, lack of criminal history, and disbelief in his involvement in MLK’s assassination.  
- **William Russell**: Former inmate at MSP who described Ray as quiet and unassuming with no close friends in prison.  
- **Chester Spratt**: Inmate at MSP who confirmed Ray’s presence during his escape but claimed no prior knowledge of him.  
- **Ivan Dale Underwood**: Prisoner with information about Ray’s activities in Joplin, Missouri, including alleged burglary operations.  
- **Jerry Raynes**: Ray’s father; provided details about family interactions, property transactions, and Ray’s alleged criminal ties.  
- **Carol Pepper (Mrs. Albert B. Pepper)**: Ray’s sister; denied contact with him since 1967 and discussed her father’s financial dealings.  
- **Sherrill**: Mentioned in Mr. Raynes’ statements as potentially connected to Ray’s activities.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (Jefferson City, Missouri)**: Site of Ray’s incarceration and escape; location of interviews with inmates like Nolan, Russell, Spratt, and Underwood.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Home to FBI offices, fingerprint bureau, and locations referenced in investigations (e.g., 1819 Park Avenue property sale).  
- **Joplin, Missouri**: Mentioned as a location where Ray allegedly engaged in burglary operations.  
- **Center, Missouri**: Residence of Jerry Raynes; site of interviews with him.  
- **Maplewood, Missouri**: Residence of Carol Pepper; referenced in discussions about family finances and media inquiries.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Mentioned in context of newspaper inquiries (e.g., *Los Angeles Times*).  

Key Events  
- FBI interviews with former inmates at MSP regarding Ray’s behavior, escape, and associations.  
- Nolan’s testimony about Ray’s lack of criminal history and disbelief in his involvement in MLK’s assassination.  
- Claims by inmates like Russell and Spratt that Ray was quiet, unassuming, and had no close friends in prison.  
- Ivan Dale Underwood’s statements about Ray’s alleged burglary activities in Joplin, Missouri.  
- Jerry Raynes’ information on family interactions, property transactions, and Ray’s potential criminal ties.  
- Carol Pepper’s denial of contact with Ray since 1967 and discussion of her father’s financial dealings.  
- References to retaliation threats against witnesses due to their association with Ray.  
- FBI efforts to locate Ray and gather evidence about his movements post-escape.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, investigations, and case management for the Ray-related inquiries.  
- **Missouri State Highway Patrol**: Involved in law enforcement coordination.  
- **St. Louis Police Department**: Participated in fingerprint checks and communications with charitable organizations.  
- **Bohemian Savings and Loan Association** (later Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company): Mentioned as a financial institution where Carol Pepper’s family held savings accounts.  
- **Catholic Archdiocese**: Employed Albert Pepper in the Head Start School Program.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_83-01-part_04_of_10.pdf

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