[Editor’s note: Serials 2382-2393 and Serial 2398 consist of single page letters – which are almost identical to each other – asking various state and federal law enforcement agencies for assistance in identifying fingerprints of the Jonestown dead. Because they are almost identical to each other, they have been grouped into a single document.]
[Serial 2382]
January 31, 1980
Mr. Eugene Gallagher
Chief of Police
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Dear Mr. Gallagher:
In our continuing efforts to identify additional victims in the mass suicide-murder disaster, which took place in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978, I would appreciate you causing a search of your fingerprint records to be made to locate any fingerprints on file for the following individual:
Ava Brown, also known as Ava Jones, black female, born August 6, 1951, in Indianapolis, Indiana
Should you locate fingerprints on this individual, it is requested that a photographic copy of the fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section. These fingerprints are requested for comparison with the unidentified body prints obtained from victims of the aforementioned disaster.
If you are unable to photographically reproduce any fingerprints located, it is requested that the original fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section, where they will be reproduced, after which, the original fingerprints will be returned to you. A preaddressed envelope is enclosed for your use in this matter.
Your continuing cooperation in matters of mutual interest is appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Edward P. Johnson
Chief
Latent Fingerprint Section
Identification Division
[Serial 2383]
January 31, 1980
Mr. A.L. Morgan
Chief of Police
Dumas, Arkansas 71639
Dear Mr. Morgan:
In our continuing efforts to identify additional victims in the mass suicide-murder disaster, which took place in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978, I would appreciate you causing a search of your fingerprint records to be made to locate any fingerprints on file for the following individual:
Henry Lee Gomez, black female, born September 12, 1948, in Dumas, Arkansas
Should you locate fingerprints on this individual, it is requested that a photographic copy of the fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section. These fingerprints are requested for comparison with the unidentified body prints obtained from victims of the aforementioned disaster.
If you are unable to photographically reproduce any fingerprints located, it is requested that the original fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section, where they will be reproduced, after which, the original fingerprints will be returned to you. A preaddressed envelope is enclosed for your use in this matter.
Your continuing cooperation in matters of mutual interest is appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Edward P. Johnson
Chief
Latent Fingerprint Section
Identification Division
[Serial 2384]
January 31, 1980
Mr. Michael J. Barkowski
Chief of Police
South Bend, Indiana 46624
Dear Mr. Barkowski:
In our continuing efforts to identify additional victims in the mass suicide-murder disaster, which took place in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978, I would appreciate you causing a search of your fingerprint records to be made to locate any fingerprints on file for the following individual:
Vicki Lynn Dover, also known as Vicki Lynn Marshall, black female, born January 20, 1958, in South Bend, Indiana
Should you locate fingerprints on this individual, it is requested that a photographic copy of the fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section. These fingerprints are requested for comparison with the unidentified body prints obtained from victims of the aforementioned disaster.
If you are unable to photographically reproduce any fingerprints located, it is requested that the original fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section, where they will be reproduced, after which, the original fingerprints will be returned to you. A preaddressed envelope is enclosed for your use in this matter.
Your continuing cooperation in matters of mutual interest is appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Edward P. Johnson
Chief
Latent Fingerprint Section
Identification Division
[Serial 2385]
February 4, 1980
Mr. James Louis Gwatney
Chief of Police
Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601
Dear Mr. Gwatney:
In our continuing efforts to identify additional victims in the mass suicide-murder disaster, which took place in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978, I would appreciate you causing a search of your fingerprint records to be made to locate any fingerprints on file for the following individual:
Gary Johnson, also known as Poncho Johnson, black male, born October 5, 1959, in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Should you locate fingerprints on this individual, it is requested that a photographic copy of the fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section. These fingerprints are requested for comparison with the unidentified body prints obtained from victims of the aforementioned disaster.
If you are unable to photographically reproduce any fingerprints located, it is requested that the original fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section, where they will be reproduced, after which, the original fingerprints will be returned to you. A preaddressed envelope is enclosed for your use in this matter.
Your continuing cooperation in matters of mutual interest is appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Edward P. Johnson
Chief
Latent Fingerprint Section
Identification Division
[Serial 2386]
February 4, 1980
Mr. Stafford Jones
Marshal
Collins, Mississippi 39428
Dear Mr. Jones:
In our continuing efforts to identify additional victims in the mass suicide-murder disaster, which took place in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978, I would appreciate you causing a search of your fingerprint records to be made to locate any fingerprints on file for the following individual:
Arvella Cole, black female, born September 28, 1906, in Collins, Mississippi
Should you locate fingerprints on this individual, it is requested that a photographic copy of the fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section. These fingerprints are requested for comparison with the unidentified body prints obtained from victims of the aforementioned disaster.
If you are unable to photographically reproduce any fingerprints located, it is requested that the original fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section, where they will be reproduced, after which, the original fingerprints will be returned to you. A preaddressed envelope is enclosed for your use in this matter.
Your continuing cooperation in matters of mutual interest is appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Edward P. Johnson
Chief
Latent Fingerprint Section
Identification Division
[Serial 2387]
February 4, 1980
Mr. Patrick S. Fitzsimons
Chief of Police
Room 400
Public Safety Building
Seattle, Washington 98104
Dear Mr. Fitzsimons:
In our continuing efforts to identify additional victims in the mass suicide-murder disaster, which took place in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978, I would appreciate you causing a search of your fingerprint records to be made to locate any fingerprints on file for the following individual:
Bette Jean Guy Byrd, also known as Betty Jean Cody and Betty Jean Johnson, black female, born November 22, 1954, in Seattle, Washington
Should you locate fingerprints on this individual, it is requested that a photographic copy of the fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section. These fingerprints are requested for comparison with the unidentified body prints obtained from victims of the aforementioned disaster.
If you are unable to photographically reproduce any fingerprints located, it is requested that the original fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section, where they will be reproduced, after which, the original fingerprints will be returned to you. A preaddressed envelope is enclosed for your use in this matter.
Your continuing cooperation in matters of mutual interest is appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Edward P. Johnson
Chief
Latent Fingerprint Section
Identification Division
[Serial 2388]
February 4, 1980
Mr. Otis Evans
Chief of Police
Inverness, Mississippi 38753
Dear Mr. Evans:
In our continuing efforts to identify additional victims in the mass suicide-murder disaster, which took place in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978, I would appreciate you causing a search of your fingerprint records to be made to locate any fingerprints on file for the following individual:
Ruthie Mae Quinn, black female, born September 30, 1940, in Inverness, Mississippi
Should you locate fingerprints on this individual, it is requested that a photographic copy of the fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section. These fingerprints are requested for comparison with the unidentified body prints obtained from victims of the aforementioned disaster.
If you are unable to photographically reproduce any fingerprints located, it is requested that the original fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section, where they will be reproduced, after which, the original fingerprints will be returned to you. A preaddressed envelope is enclosed for your use in this matter.
Your continuing cooperation in matters of mutual interest is appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Edward P. Johnson
Chief
Latent Fingerprint Section
Identification Division
[Serial 2389]
February 4, 1980
Mr. Roger E. Poston
Chief of Police
Florence, South Carolina 29501
Dear Mr. Poston:
In our continuing efforts to identify additional victims in the mass suicide-murder disaster, which took place in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978, I would appreciate you causing a search of your fingerprint records to be made to locate any fingerprints on file for the following individual:
Mary Maid Cottingham, black female, born November 30, 1899, in Florence, South Carolina
Should you locate fingerprints on this individual, it is requested that a photographic copy of the fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section. These fingerprints are requested for comparison with the unidentified body prints obtained from victims of the aforementioned disaster.
If you are unable to photographically reproduce any fingerprints located, it is requested that the original fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section, where they will be reproduced, after which, the original fingerprints will be returned to you. A preaddressed envelope is enclosed for your use in this matter.
Your continuing cooperation in matters of mutual interest is appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Edward P. Johnson
Chief
Latent Fingerprint Section
Identification Division
[Serial 2390]
February 4, 1980
Mr. James Craigmile
Chief of Police
Rockport, Texas 78382
Dear Mr. Craigmile:
In our continuing efforts to identify additional victims in the mass suicide-murder disaster, which took place in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978, I would appreciate you causing a search of your fingerprint records to be made to locate any fingerprints on file for the following individual:
Oreen Poplin, also known as Oreen Armstrong, black female, born October 11, 1904, in Rockport, Texas
Should you locate fingerprints on this individual, it is requested that a photographic copy of the fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section. These fingerprints are requested for comparison with the unidentified body prints obtained from victims of the aforementioned disaster.
If you are unable to photographically reproduce any fingerprints located, it is requested that the original fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section, where they will be reproduced, after which, the original fingerprints will be returned to you. A preaddressed envelope is enclosed for your use in this matter.
Your continuing cooperation in matters of mutual interest is appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Edward P. Johnson
Chief
Latent Fingerprint Section
Identification Division
[Serial 2391]
February 4, 1980
Mr. Carson M. Parks
Chief of Police
Carthage, Texas 75633
Dear Mr. Parks:
In our continuing efforts to identify additional victims in the mass suicide-murder disaster, which took place in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978, I would appreciate you causing a search of your fingerprint records to be made to locate any fingerprints on file for the following individual:
Vernon Smith, black male, born April 23, 1914, in Carthage, Texas
Should you locate fingerprints on this individual, it is requested that a photographic copy of the fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section. These fingerprints are requested for comparison with the unidentified body prints obtained from victims of the aforementioned disaster.
If you are unable to photographically reproduce any fingerprints located, it is requested that the original fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section, where they will be reproduced, after which, the original fingerprints will be returned to you. A preaddressed envelope is enclosed for your use in this matter.
Your continuing cooperation in matters of mutual interest is appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Edward P. Johnson
Chief
Latent Fingerprint Section
Identification Division
[Serial 2392]
February 7, 1980
State Police
Bureau of Identification
Box 1791
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70621
Gentlemen:
In our continuing efforts to identify additional victims in the mass suicide-murder disaster, which took place in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978, I would appreciate you causing a search of your fingerprint records to be made to locate any fingerprints on file for the following individuals:
Corliss Denise Conley, also known as Corliss Denise Boutte, black female, born March 12, 1959, in Mount Harmon, Louisiana
Gary Johnson, also known as Poncho Johnson, black male, born October 5, 1959, in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Should you locate fingerprints on these individuals, it is requested that a photographic copy of the fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section. These fingerprints are requested for comparison with the unidentified body prints obtained from victims of the aforementioned disaster.
If you are unable to photographically reproduce any fingerprints located, it is requested that the original fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section, where they will be reproduced, after
[Page 2]
State Police
Bureau of Identification
which, the original fingerprints will be returned to you. A preaddressed envelope is enclosed for your use in this matter.
Your continuing cooperation in matters of mutual interest is appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Edward P. Johnson
Chief
Latent Fingerprint Section
Identification Division
[Serial 2393]
February 6, 1980
Chief
Identification and Criminal Records Division
Texas Department of Public Safety
Box 4143
Austin, Texas 78765
Dear Sir:
In our continuing efforts to identify additional victims in the mass suicide-murder disaster, which took place in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978, I would appreciate you causing a search of your fingerprint records to be made to locate any fingerprints on file for the following individuals:
Frankie Lee Grigsby, black female, born May 17, 1926, in LaVilla, Texas
Addie B. Jones, black female, born October 24, 1914, in Caldwell, Texas
Chuck Robert Kirkendole, black male, born October 16, 1948, in Edna, Texas
Ammie Gladys Roberts, black female, born September 22, 1900, in Kaufman County, Texas
Vernon Smith, black male, born April 23, 1914, in Carthage, Texas
Oreen Poplin, also known as Oreen Armstrong, black female, born October 11, 1904, in Rockport, Texas
Should you locate fingerprints on these individuals, it is requested that a photographic copy of the fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section. These fingerprints are requested for comparison with the unidentified body prints obtained from victims of the aforementioned disaster.
[Page 2]
Chief
Identification and Criminal Records Division
If you are unable to photographically reproduce any fingerprints located, it is requested that the original fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section, where they will be reproduced, after which, the original fingerprints will be returned to you. A preaddressed envelope is enclosed for your use in this matter.
Your continuing cooperation in matters of mutual interest is appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Edward P. Johnson
Chief
Latent Fingerprint Section
Identification Division
[Serial 2398]
February 19, 1980
Department of Public Safety
Identification Division
Box 956
Jackson, Mississippi 39201
Gentlemen:
In our continuing efforts to identify additional victims in the mass suicide-murder disaster, which took place in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978, I would appreciate you causing a search of your fingerprint records to be made to locate any fingerprints on file for the following individuals:
Arvella Cole, black female, born September 28, 1906, in Collins, Mississippi
Ruth Virginia Coleman, black female, born January 3, 1920, in Mississippi
Ruthie May Quinn, black female, born September 30, 1940, in Inverness, Mississippi
L. Bee Reeves, black female, born November 1, 1889, in Gary, Mississippi
Carolyn (Carol) Ann Young, black female, born September 1, 1900, in Camden, Mississippi
Should you locate fingerprints on these individuals, it is requested that a photographic copy of the fingerprints be forwarded to the Latent Fingerprint Section. These fingerprints are requested for comparison with the unidentified body prints obtained from victims of the aforementioned disaster.
If you are unable to photographically reproduce any fingerprints located, it is requested that the original fingerprints be forwarded
[Page 2]
Department of Public Safety
to the Latent Fingerprint Section, where they will be reproduced, after which, the original fingerprints will be returned to you. A preaddressed envelope is enclosed for your use in this matter.
Your continuing cooperation in matters of mutual interest is appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Edward P. Johnson
Chief
Latent Fingerprint Section
Identification Division