DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
COMMUNICATION MESSAGE FORM
DATE: 12/6/78
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLAS
PRECEDENCE: IMMEDIATE
FM DIRECTOR, FBI
TO FBI LAS VEGAS IMMEDIATE
FBI SAN FRANCISCO IMMEDIATE
FBI LOS ANGELES IMMEDIATE
BT
UNCLAS
RYMUR
For information offices not previously advised, the Department of Justice has requested that autopsies be performed on the remains of certain victims of the Jonestown Guyana massacre. The FBI has been tasked to obtain written permission from the next of kin of the deceased persons who have been selected for autopsy. In initial contact with the next of kin of deceased persons originally selected, some have refused to give permission. Others cannot be located. Other candidates have therefore been selected. These victims are identified as follows:
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Odell Blackwell, 1861 West 54th Street, Los Angeles, California, described as black male, born January 13, 1910.
William Richard Castillo, 2327 San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, California, described as black male, born February 19, 1944.
Carl Gloster Hall, 1735 South Bronson, Los Angeles, California, born March 16, 1904.
Ann Elizabeth Moore; Carolyn Louise Moore Layton, whose next of kin are their parents John V. and Barbara Moore residing at 556 Marsh Street, Reno, Nevada, telephone 702-323-0581.
For information Las Vegas, Mr. and Mrs. Moore have another daughter Rebecca Moore McGee of Washington, D.C., who has advised FBI HQ that her parents desire autopsies of Ann’s and Carolyn’s remains.
Los Angeles should conduct an investigation to locate next of kin of Castillo, Blackwell and Hall. Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada should locate John and Barbara Moore and thereafter Los Angeles and Las Vegas obtain written consent for the autopsies by use of a form which is to be provided by interviewing agents. The text of this form is as follows:
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Date
City, State
I/we request and authorize the physicians in attendance at the Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Delaware, to perform a complete autopsy on the remains of (insert name of deceased). I/we understand that the autopsy may include an examination of the head, eyes, spinal cord, chest, abdomen, and extremities. I/we authorize the removal and retention or use for diagnostic, scientific, or therapeutic purposes of such organs, tissues, and parts as such physicians deem proper.
I/we represent that I am/we are the (insert relationship),
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legal next of kin of the deceased and entitled by law to control the disposition of the remains.
Signed
Witnessed (insert signature of FBI agent)
Sutel result of contact with next of kin to FBI HQ and Baltimore Division thereafter forwarding original of executed consent form to Baltimore for delivery to appropriate authorities at Dover Air Force Base where autopsies will be conducted by Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.
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For additional information Las Vegas, Mr. and Mrs. Moore have stated they have made numerous attempts to obtain the truth regarding their daughters’ deaths in Guyana from various government agencies. They apparently have had some frustrating contacts with these agencies resulting in a somewhat suspicious attitude on their part. They have requested the presence of an independent pathologist at any autopsy of their daughters’ remains but have been advised that no pathologist in Delaware would be willing to handle this assignment. This request still has standing with military personnel in Dover Air Force Base and would present problems should they authorize the autopsies of their daughters’ remains. Therefore, the contact with the Moores should be handled by experienced agents and the issue of the independent pathologist should be discussed. The Moores should be advised that the FBI is interested in the objective truth surrounding the murder of Congressman Ryan and related matters as are personnel at Dover Air Force Base in carrying our [out] their particular responsibilities. The Moores should be requested to withdraw their request for an independent pathologist’s presence during the autopsies and if possible, obtain
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same in a written statement which can be made as a postscript to the above executed consent form.
BT