Robert P. Kennedy 68-5731 1 (TABLE OF CONTENTS REPORT ON THE MEDICOLEGAL INVESTIGATION Schleewar 2 REPORT OF THE MEDICOLIGAL INVESIGATION OF SCIATOR ROBERT P. KENNEDY 3/2/15 3/27/15 CERTIFICATION by Chief Medical Examiner-Coronor. Final Summary ... Gunshot Wound No. 1. Gunshot Wound NO. 2. Gunshot wound No. 3. 3.2.1

Summary  
The document details the medicolegal investigation of Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination, focusing on autopsy findings, gunshot wound analysis, and forensic pathology conducted by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Department. The autopsy was performed at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles on June 6, 1968, determining the cause of death as a penetrating gunshot wound to the right mastoid region, which caused extensive brain damage, including hemorrhage, contusions, and fragmentation from bullet and bone debris. Three distinct wounds were identified: a fatal entry wound (right mastoid), a through-and-through wound (right axilla), and a third wound entering the right axilla and exiting near the sixth cervical vertebra. A .22 caliber bullet fragment was recovered from the paracervical region. Pathological findings included subdural hemorrhage, meningitis, cerebral edema, and non-fatal conditions such as benign kidney adenomas and retention cysts. Radiographic and microscopic analyses documented metallic foreign bodies in the skull, temporal bone, spinal cord, and brain tissue, with postmortem X-ray imaging highlighting damage to the brainstem, cerebrum, ventricles, and cervical spine. Toxicological reports found no significant substances in blood, liver, or lung tissue.  

Key People  
- Robert F. Kennedy (victim)  
- Thomas T. Noguchi, M.D. (Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner)  
- Maxwell M. Andler Jr., H.D. (Neurosurgeon attending the autopsy)  
- John E. Holley, M.D., Abraham T. Lu, M.D. (Deputy Medical Examiners)  
- R. L. Seanlan, M.D. (Radiologist)  
- Richard Kottle, Richard Collier (Los Angeles Police Department personnel)  
- James Watson (photographer)  

Key Locations  
- Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles, California  
- Hall of Justice, Lobbyville, California (coroner’s office)  
- Ambassador Hotel, 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles  
- Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office  

Key Events  
- Autopsy conducted on June 6, 1968, at Good Samaritan Hospital.  
- Identification of three gunshot wounds: fatal entry wound to the right mastoid, through-and-through wound on the right axilla, and a third wound entering the right axilla and exiting near the sixth cervical vertebra.  
- Recovery of .22 caliber bullet fragment from the paracervical region at the sixth cervical vertebra.  
- Documentation of extensive brain injuries, including hemorrhagic necrosis, contusions, and fragmentation from bullet and bone debris.  
- Radiographic analysis of gunshot wound trajectories and metallic foreign bodies in the skull, temporal bone, spinal cord, and brain tissue.  
- Postmortem X-ray imaging of the brain, spinal cord, and scalp to document damage and residual metallic debris.  
- At-scene investigation at the Ambassador Hotel conducted by Dr. Noguchi and Commander Stahl on June 8, 1968.  

Key Organizations  
- Los Angeles County Department of Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner  
- Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (consultants)  
- Los Angeles Police Department (Scientific Investigation Division)  
- Hospital of The Good Samaritan Medical Center (autopsy facility)

RFK Declassified Files

1536518_grf_us_presidents_commission_on_cia_activities_within_the_united_states_rockefeller_commission_temporary_parallel_file_box_2.pdf

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