</s>FD-245 (REV. 4/13-40) H. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO "IS FILE) CLASSIFICATION NO. FEDERAL BUREAU ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED DO NOT DESTROY FOR HISTORICAL of HIST. VA.JE DECLASSIFICATION NATIONAL ARCHIVES INVESTIGATION Volume Number: Senate Bureau File Number 4/4-38861 See Bul A See but I See also No. ALL INFORMATION CONSTITUED SEE DUT 2 BEGINN.S.S-S.D.C.C-C-E-C.E-B-E DO NOT DESTINOY PENDING LITIGATION DO NOT DISTROY - PENDIND LITGATION Closed dettoni 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. Key elements include:  
- A composite description of a suspect involved in the investigation, characterized as a white male aged 26–40, with dark hair, blue/green eyes, and scars on his left hand and right cheek. The suspect was reportedly seen in Memphis around April 4, 1968, renting a room and possibly non-smoking.  
- Thomas Robert Henderson (also known as "Collins") is identified as a person of interest. He claimed to have met MLK in Atlanta, possessed a card with MLK’s contact information, and stated he had ordered someone killed. Henderson described himself as having a criminal history, including drug use, mental health issues, and prior arrests. The FBI notes his potential danger due to past suicide attempts and psychiatric treatment.  
- Rev. Oliver W. Gibson (Parish Temple CME Church) was interviewed about a man who allegedly visited him after MLK’s assassination. Gibson described the individual as having a scar on his left hand and right cheek, wearing a dark green suit, and carrying counterfeit checks. The FBI sought to verify if this person matched known suspects or latent fingerprints from the case.  
- Administrative records include telegrams, memos, and forms related to FBI operations in St. Louis and Memphis, including personnel movements, document handling, and internal communications about the investigation.  

Key People  
- **Benjamin Franklin Gibson**: Imperial Wizard of the Ozark Klan of Missouri; mentioned as a subject of interest due to his association with the Klan.  
- **Thomas Robert Henderson** (also known as "Collins"): Suspect linked to MLK’s assassination, described as having a criminal history, mental health issues, and potential ties to violent acts.  
- **Rev. Oliver W. Gibson**: Minister at Parish Temple CME Church in St. Louis; interviewed about a man who allegedly visited him after MLK’s assassination.  
- **Milton Lewis**: U.S. Department of Justice Compliance Officer; contacted the FBI regarding a call from Rev. Gibson about the killer of MLK.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination and central to the investigation.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: FBI office involved in the case; key location for interviews and administrative records.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Mentioned as a place where Henderson claimed to have met MLK.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Noted as a residence or travel destination for Henderson.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: MLK’s assassination in Memphis; central event driving the investigation.  
- **April 7–8, 1968**: FBI communications and interviews regarding suspects, including Thomas Robert Henderson and Rev. Gibson’s account of a visitor.  
- **Fingerprint comparisons**: Mentioned as a method to eliminate suspects using latent prints from the case.  
- **Personnel movements**: Records of FBI agents and staff relocating between offices in St. Louis, Memphis, and other locations.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Central agency conducting the investigation, with offices in St. Louis and Memphis.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Involved through Milton Lewis’s contact with the FBI.  
- **Parish Temple CME Church**: Location where Rev. Gibson conducted interviews about the suspect.  

Summary  
The documents detail FBI communications and investigative activities related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. Key elements include:  
- A composite description of a suspect involved in the investigation, characterized as a white male aged 26–40, with dark hair, blue/green eyes, and scars on his left hand and right cheek. The suspect was reportedly seen in Memphis around April 4, 1968, renting a room and possibly non-smoking.  
- Thomas Robert Henderson (also known as "Collins") is identified as a person of interest. He claimed to have met MLK in Atlanta, possessed a card with MLK’s contact information, and stated he had ordered someone killed. Henderson described himself as having a criminal history, including drug use, mental health issues, and prior arrests. The FBI notes his potential danger due to past suicide attempts and psychiatric treatment.  
- Rev. Oliver W. Gibson (Parish Temple CME Church) was interviewed about a man who allegedly visited him after MLK’s assassination. Gibson described the individual as having a scar on his left hand and right cheek, wearing a dark green suit, and carrying counterfeit checks. The FBI sought to verify if this person matched known suspects or latent fingerprints from the case.  
- Administrative records include telegrams, memos, and forms related to FBI operations in St. Louis and Memphis, including personnel movements, document handling, and internal communications about the investigation.  

Key People  
- **Benjamin Franklin Gibson**: Imperial Wizard of the Ozark Klan of Missouri; mentioned as a subject of interest due to his association with the Klan.  
- **Thomas Robert Henderson** (also known as "Collins"): Suspect linked to MLK’s assassination, described as having a criminal history, mental health issues, and potential ties to violent acts.  
- **Rev. Oliver W. Gibson**: Minister at Parish Temple CME Church in St. Louis; interviewed about a man who allegedly visited him after MLK’s assassination.  
- **Milton Lewis**: U.S. Department of Justice Compliance Officer; contacted the FBI regarding a call from Rev. Gibson about the killer of MLK.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination and central to the investigation.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: FBI office involved in the case; key location for interviews and administrative records.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Mentioned as a place where Henderson claimed to have met MLK.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Noted as a residence or travel destination for Henderson.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: MLK’s assassination in Memphis; central event driving the investigation.  
- **April 7–8, 1968**: FBI communications and interviews regarding suspects, including Thomas Robert Henderson and Rev. Gibson’s account of a visitor.  
- **Fingerprint comparisons**: Mentioned as a method to eliminate suspects using latent prints from the case.  
- **Personnel movements**: Records of FBI agents and staff relocating between offices in St. Louis, Memphis, and other locations.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Central agency conducting the investigation, with offices in St. Louis and Memphis.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Involved through Milton Lewis’s contact with the FBI.  
- **Parish Temple CME Church**: Location where Rev. Gibson conducted interviews about the suspect.  

Summary  
The document contains multiple FBI reports and communications related to the investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. Key details include a suspect described as a white male with dark brown hair, thin face, and a "funny smile," identified through a composite drawing from a newspaper. Another individual, Spivy, is noted to have threatened violence against the Superior Motor Co. in Nashville if his claim was not settled. A laundry tag found at the crime scene links to a textile marking machine in Syracuse, New York, with partial markings indicating "O" dash six or similar codes. The FBI requests checks on laundries using these tags and suspects named Harvey Lowyer/Lowyery, described as white male, 36 years old, 5'8", 150-160 lbs, with dark brown hair. A suspect, Willard Benfield Jr., is detailed as a racist with prior assault charges, including the murder of Cecil Hunt in Benton Harbor, Michigan, though the charge was dismissed due to lack of evidence. Benfield's movements around April 4, 1968, are noted, including his departure from Benton Harbor and possession of tools like a drill and buffer. The FBI also seeks photographs and fingerprints of suspects for elimination and requests coordination with offices in Birmingham, Alabama, and Memphis, Tennessee, to track suspects during specific dates.  

Key People  
- Spivy (described as white male, 5'8", 150-160 lbs, dark brown hair)  
- Harvey Lowyer/Lowyery (white male, 36 years old, 5'8", 150-160 lbs, dark brown hair)  
- Willard Benfield Jr. (suspected racist with prior assault charges, including murder of Cecil Hunt)  
- Brother Brower (Methodist minister in Missouri who made statements about the assassin's origin)  
- Dorothy Jones (employee at Blytheville Air Force Base who reported Brower’s remarks)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (scene of MLK’s assassination)  
- Nashville, Tennessee (Spivy’s alleged threats)  
- Benton Harbor, Michigan (Benfield’s prior assault charges)  
- Syracuse, New York (textile marking machine linked to laundry tags)  
- St. Louis, Missouri (FBI office coordinating investigations)  

Key Events  
- April 4, 1968: Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee  
- March 29–30, 1968: Investigation in Birmingham, Alabama  
- April 4–5, 1968: Suspect movements and tool possession by Benfield  
- Laundry tag analysis linking to Syracuse, New York textile company  
- Requests for photographs, fingerprints, and records of suspects  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- St. Louis FBI Division  
- Memphis FBI Office  
- Textile Marking Machine Company (Syracuse, NY)  
- Methodist Church in Missouri (involved in witness statements)

MLK Declassified Files

44-sl-775_742351_01-01-part_1_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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