</s>FEDERAL BUREAU DO NOT DESTINY HISTORICAMALLE NATIONAL ARCHIVE INVESTIGATION Bureau File, Number 1, 5/28/ 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigative efforts related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., which occurred on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. The FBI issued alerts to monitor racial tensions and potential retaliatory actions following the assassination. Investigations focused on identifying suspects, including a composite description of a male suspect aged 26–40, white, approximately 5'8" tall, with dark brown or sandy hair, blue or green eyes, and a medium build. The FBI coordinated checks across Texas counties for individuals named Harvey Loweyer, noting the unusual nature of the name and requesting verification of driver’s licenses, voter registrations, and criminal records. A call from Mel Davis, who claimed someone from Los Angeles killed King, was noted but did not yield actionable leads. Investigations referenced prior events in Birmingham, Alabama, and Memphis, Tennessee, as potential connections to the assassination. The FBI established "MURKIN" as a code word for the case on April 7, 1968, emphasizing strict confidentiality. A pair of laundry tags found at the scene were described as brownish-checkered undershorts and a white jockey tee shirt with red thermo-sealed markings from the Textile Marking Machine Company (Syracuse, NY). These tags featured partial markings resembling "O-DASH SIX"X" or similar variations. The FBI conducted nationwide searches for Eric Starvo Galt, a suspect linked to Alabama with ties to a registered white 1968 Mustang (VIN 6T0...), and individuals named Harvey Lowmeyer/Lowyer across Texas counties. No records were found for these names in reviewed databases or directories.  

Key People  
- Martin Luther King Jr. (assassinated)  
- Mel Davis (caller alleging involvement from Los Angeles)  
- Eric Starvo Galt (suspect linked to Alabama, registered white 1968 Mustang)  
- Harvey Lowmeyer/Lowyer (names investigated across Texas counties)  
- SAC Cole (San Antonio FBI field office supervisor)  
- SA Kemmy and SA Moody (agents involved in initial response)  
- SA James C. Holmes, SA Harold H. Crossett, SA Larry Dee Welch (FBI agents conducting searches)  
- Sheriff Luther Snow (Willacy County), Alice Silva (Willacy County Sheriff's Office), Dan Reyna (Willacy County Tax Assessor and Collector), Joe Alexander (McLeeman County Assessor-Collector), Mrs. Lucille Chapman (Texas Highway Department, Austin), SA O. Lee Golden, SA Fred T. Lee, Jr., SA Edwin B. Jones (FBI agents)  
- Sheriff Tom Henderson (Edwards County), Deputy Sheriff Goldie Fritter (Kinney County)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (scene of assassination)  
- San Antonio, Texas (FBI field office coordinating investigation)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (prior civil rights-related events, VIN check for Galt)  
- Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy, Val Verde, Terrell, Kinney, Edwards, Bell, Lampasas, and other Texas counties (sites of record checks)  
- Waco, Del Rio, Temple, Killeen, Coppers Cove, Texas (law enforcement databases reviewed)  
- Raymondville, Texas (Willacy County)  
- Syracuse, New York (Textile Marking Machine Company)  

Key Events  
- April 4, 1968: Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee  
- April 7, 1968: FBI establishes "MURKIN" as code word for the investigation; requests focus on suspect identification  
- April 9–10, 1968: Nationwide search for Eric Starvo Galt and Harvey Lowmeyer/Lowyer across Texas counties  
- April 10, 1968: FBI contacts laundries in San Antonio to identify thermo-sealed laundry tags linked to the crime scene  
- Investigation into laundry tags found at the scene, featuring markings from Textile Marking Machine Company (Syracuse, NY)  
- Searches of voter registration records, credit bureau files, telephone directories, and vehicle registrations for "LOWEYER" or "LOWYER" in Texas counties  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- San Antonio Field Office (coordinating investigation)  
- Textile Marking Machine Company (Syracuse, NY)  
- Local law enforcement agencies (Texas counties, including Willacy County Sheriff's Office, Hidalgo County Sheriff's Department, Texas Highway Department)  
- Credit bureaus (McAllen, Mid-Valley, Waco, Texas)  
- Retail Merchants Association (Texas)  
- Tax Assessor and Collector Offices (various counties)  
- Police Departments (Waco, Del Rio, Temple, Killeen, etc.)

MLK Declassified Files

44-sa-1242_742152_02-01-part_1_of_4.pdf

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