United States Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Memorandum
Date: 11/22/78
To: Mr. Moore
From: J. O. Ingram
Subject: RYMUR
DAILY SUMMARY
By memorandum dated 11/20/78 from the Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice, to the Deputy Attorney General, a copy of which was furnished to the FBI, the Department opined that the FBI has jurisdiction to investigate captioned matter as a possible violation of the Congressional Assassination Statute (18 U.S. Code, 351) involving jurisdiction applied extra-territoriality.
In this regard, San Francisco Office is acting in coordination with the U.S. Attorney, San Francisco, who will convene a special session of the Federal Grand Jury at San Francisco for the purpose of investigating this matter. It is expected that witnesses will shortly be called before this Grand Jury.
The immediate scope of FBI investigation will involve the interview of all persons who may have information related to the death of Congressman Ryan and his party, along with any possible conspiracy which may be associated with these deaths. The initial FBI interviews will involve witnesses at the scene, members of the Congressman’s staff, and interviews of current Peoples Temple Church members both in the United States and those who survived the mass suicide in Guyana. Additionally, individuals identified as providing information to the news media are being located and interviewed at this time. Possible source material is being reviewed daily at FBI HQ and by each field office to identify individuals who may have information pertaining to this investigation.
Legat Robert Oglesby is currently in Georgetown, Guyana, and among other things is attempting to identify all individuals being held by Guyanian [Guyanese] authorities in connection with this matter, determining the status of deceased United States
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Memo to Mr. Moore
RE: RYMUR
citizens relative to their return to the United States, and if survivors are to be repatriated to the United States, and if so their method of leaving Guyana and their port of arrival in the United States. In this regard, all individuals returning to the United States will be met and interviewed. The Legat is also attempting to determine the particulars of any investigation conducted by local authorities in Guyana.
FBI HQ has been advised that the first contingent of 81 bodies will be flown from Guyana to Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Delaware, and will arrive early a.m., 11/23/78. The FBI Disaster Squad is on alert, and it is anticipated that the State Department and military authorities will formally request assistance and identification of the deceased.
FBI HQ Command Post will be manned by Agent and support personnel throughout the Thanksgiving holiday and the following weekend. The San Francisco Office Command Post will likewise be manned on a continual basis. Representatives of the Capitol Police and the Secret Service are currently in San Francisco to coordinate with local authorities regarding protective responsibilities surrounding the funeral of Congressman Ryan scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Pacific Standard Time (PST). The Congressional charter aircraft landed at San Francisco International Airport (SFIA) at 10:00 a.m., PST, and the Congressional contingent along with Chip Carter, son of President Carter and the only protectee of the Secret Service, went directly to All Souls Catholic Church, San Francisco, and thereafter to the burial site at Golden gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California (12 miles south of San Francisco). A reception at the Airport Hilton (SFIA) is scheduled to proceed a 4:00 p.m., PST departure.
Discussions are currently underway between the Department of Justice and the State Department in an effort to determine if FBI agents will be sent to Guyana.
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Memo to Mr. Moore
RE: RYMUR
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Investigation continuing.