</s>FD-302 (Rev. 4:15-64) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 6/8/68 Date JOSE BREA, 681 East Howard Street, furnished the following information: Date: JOSE BRERA, 661 East Howard Streeet, furnished He and his wife, GABRIELA, have resided at that address for approximately one and two half years. They were not approximately the one and one family residing across the street. Acquaintained with the family did not know the name of the STRIANS until reading about it in the newspaper They had referred to the family as the Arab family residing across the street They knew the mother of the family by sight, however, they knew all of the male individuals who resided in the residence He identified the individual in the Los Angeles Police Department photograph taken June 5, 1968, under Booking Number 45195 as one of the individuals residing in the residence across the street from him He had no information concerning the employment or acquaintances of this individual He had had no information concerning the recent activities of the individual, 6/7/68 pasadena, California Los Angeles 56-156-57 On at File # SA JOHN J. FLYNN/8 6/6/68 by Date dictated This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the Fbi and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail witness accounts, investigative records, and financial data related to individuals associated with the SIRIAN family and their connections to events surrounding Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination on June 5, 1968. Jose Brea and his wife Gabriela reported residing near an Arab family (referred to as the Strians) in Pasadena, California, identifying a man in an LAPD photograph (Booking #45195) as part of the family but providing no details about his employment or activities. Mrs. Nell Gori described interactions with Mary Strihan and her family, noting their residence at 1930 North Lake Avenue, Pasadena, and their employment at Westminster Nursery School. Financial records from United California Bank show Saidallah Sirian’s account (Account #56-156) included foreign drafts purchased in late 1967 and checks issued in early 1968. Fallah Ben-Jabr, a parking attendant at the Ambassador Hotel, reported observing a white 1959 Chevrolet on June 4, 1968, driven by a man described as mid-20s, Lebanese, with light brown hair, and accompanied by a woman. The driver claimed to be visiting Senator Kennedy. Robert Huntley, an unofficial photographer at the Ambassador Hotel, documented events during the assassination. Joseph Klein reported seeing a man exit the Embassy Room carrying a blue-wrapped package shortly after the shooting.  

The documents also include FBI interview records from June 1968 regarding individuals associated with Granja Vista Del Rio Farms in Norco, California, during the summer of 1966. Janice DUCHY identified STIRHAN SIRIHAN (later confirmed as Sirhan Bishara) as an employee who was observed on television as Sol Sirhan and claimed he shot RFK. Witnesses described SIRIAN as a small, unliked farm worker with no close friends, prone to using foul language, and fearful of animals. Medical records from Dr. Milton A. MILLER and Dr. Richard A. NEILSON note injuries sustained by SIRIAN from horse falls in 1966, including an eye injury treated at Corona Community Hospital. The documents reference his employment history, interactions with other farm workers like Terry WELCH, and his eventual departure from the area.  

Additional witness accounts detail events surrounding RFK’s assassination at the Ambassador Hotel. Schrade described entering the Press Room during the incident, observing police and civilians removing a man from a kitchen access hallway, and checking Kennedy’s pulse before transport to Good Samaritan Hospital. John Fahey recounted meeting Gilberdine Oppenzimer at the hotel, who claimed plans to leave for Australia and hinted at threats against Kennedy. Fahey described two men in the hotel, a dark blue Volkswagen following them, and a man resembling Munir Sirihan. FBI reports note Fahey’s descriptions of individuals, including a stocky man with grey hair and a woman with a foreign accent. Raymond Brannagan, an NBC News employee, witnessed a Mexican-looking man attempting to exit the Embassy Hotel during Kennedy’s speech but later stated he did not see the shooter. Boris Yaro, a Los Angeles Times photographer, described his presence at the hotel, interactions with fraternity members, and observations of the press room and kitchen area.  

A separate FBI document from June 7, 1968, includes interviews with Davor Pevec, who claimed familiarity with Sirihan Siriran, a man described as strongly nationalistic and born in Egypt (though he later disputed this). Other records reference interactions with law enforcement, including an FBI FD-302 form noting no political or social discussions between Pevec and Siriran. A separate entry details Arthur Lillenas’ claim of familial ties to the SIRIAN family through his uncle Haldor Lillenas, though specifics remain vague.  

Key People  
- **Saidallah Sirian**: Account holder at United California Bank; associated with the SIRIAN family.  
- **Mary Strihan**: Resided in Pasadena; connected to the SIRIAN family and employed at Westminster Nursery School.  
- **Fallah Ben-Jabr**: Parking attendant at the Ambassador Hotel; witnessed a white Chevrolet on June 4, 1968, driven by an individual linked to Senator Kennedy.  
- **Robert Huntley**: Unofficial photographer at the Ambassador Hotel; documented events during the assassination.  
- **Joseph Klein**: Witnessed a man exiting the Embassy Room with a blue-wrapped package after the shooting.  
- **Janice DUCHY**: Senior at Corona High School; identified STIRHAN SIRIHAN as the individual who shot RFK.  
- **Linda SEABOLT**: Clerical worker in Norco; described SIRIAN’s behavior and interactions at the farm.  
- **Peggy OSTERKAMP**: Farm employee; noted SIRIAN’s aloofness and lack of close relationships.  
- **STIRHAN SIRIHAN** (later identified as Sirhan Bishara): Farm worker linked to RFK’s assassination via witness accounts.  
- **Dr. Milton A. MILLER**: Optometrist who treated SIRIAN for an eye injury in 1966, noting possible malingering.  
- **Dr. Richard A. NEILSON**: Physician who documented SIRIAN’s injuries from a horse fall at Corona Community Hospital.  
- **John Fahey**: Salesman who met Gilberdine Oppenzimer at the hotel; provided descriptions of individuals and vehicles.  
- **Gilberdine Oppenzimer (Virginia/Alice/Betty)**: Woman encountered by Fahey, claimed to have plans to leave for Australia and referenced threats against Kennedy.  
- **Raymond Brannagan**: NBC News employee who witnessed a Mexican-looking man near the Embassy Hotel during Kennedy’s speech.  
- **Boris Yaro**: Photographer for the Los Angeles Times; present at the hotel with fraternity members.  
- **Sirihan Siriran**: Suspect linked to the assassination; described as nationalistic, with conflicting claims about his birthplace (Egypt vs. Palestine).  
- **Davor Pevec**: Interviewed by FBI, claimed no political discussions with Siriran but acknowledged their prior acquaintance.  
- **Joseph Pecwcz**: Father of Davor Pevec, provided details about Siriran’s background and demeanor.  
- **Arthur Lillenas**: Claimed familial connections to the SIRIAN family through his uncle Haldor Lillenas, though details are unclear.  

Key Locations  
- **Pasadena, California**: Residences of Brea, Gori, and SIRIAN family; United California Bank branch.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Ambassador Hotel (site of the assassination); Westminster Nursery School.  
- **Corona, California**: Residence of Raymond Sichher and others associated with the SIRIAN family; Corona Community Hospital.  
- **Granja Vista Del Rio Farms**, Norco, California: Workplace of SIRIAN and other farm employees.  
- **Los Angeles County Fair** (Pomona Raceway): Location where Peggy OSTERKAMP encountered SIRIAN.  
- **Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles**: Site of the assassination and key location for witness accounts.  
- **Press Room**: Where Schrade and others observed events during the incident.  
- **Kitchen access hallway**: Described as a route where individuals were moved during the chaos.  
- **Good Samaritan Hospital**: Where Kennedy was transported after being shot.  
- **Cranston Headquarters**: Where photographers attempted to notify media after the shooting.  

Key Events  
- **June 4, 1968**: Fallah Ben-Jabr observed a white Chevrolet at the Ambassador Hotel; the driver claimed to be visiting Senator Kennedy.  
- **June 5, 1968**: Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel.  
- **Post-assassination activities**: Joseph Klein reported seeing a man exit the Embassy Room with a blue-wrapped package; financial records of Saidallah Sirian included foreign drafts and checks issued in late 1967 and early 1968.  
- **June 4, 1968**: Witness accounts of STIRHAN SIRIHAN’s presence at Granja Vista Del Rio Farms and his later association with RFK’s assassination.  
- **Medical treatment for injuries**: SIRIAN sustained eye and physical injuries from horse falls in 1966, treated by Dr. MILLER and Dr. NEILSON.  
- **Witness interviews**: Multiple individuals provided descriptions of SIRIAN’s behavior, employment history, and interactions at the farm.  
- **Kennedy’s assassination**: Occurred at the Ambassador Hotel, with witnesses reporting conflicting details about the shooter and events leading up to it.  
- **Fahey’s encounter with Oppenzimer**: Included references to plans for travel and threats against Kennedy.  
- **Brannagan’s observation of a Mexican-looking man**: Attempted to exit the Embassy Hotel during Kennedy’s speech.  
- **Yaro’s presence at the hotel**: Involvement with fraternity members and observations of the press room.  
- **June 5, 1968**: Robert F. Kennedy was shot at the Ambassador Hotel; photographer accounts describe the attack and suspect’s actions.  
- **June 6–7, 1968**: FBI interviews with Davor Pevec and others to investigate Siriran’s background and potential motives.  
- **Bribe allegation**: A Pasadena resident allegedly offered a bribe to identify the suspect’s residence.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations, including reviewing bank records, witness statements, and interviews with Davor Pevec and others.  
- **United California Bank**: Provided financial records related to Saidallah Sirian’s account.  
- **Westminster Nursery School**: Employed Mary Strihan and others associated with the SIRIAN family.  
- **Corona Community Hospital**: Provided medical documentation of SIRIAN’s injuries.  
- **Local law enforcement**: Mentioned in context of locating Edward VAN ANWERP, a relative of SIRIAN.  
- **NBC News**: Employed Raymond Brannagan, who provided testimony about events at the Embassy Hotel.  
- **Los Angeles Times**: Yaro was affiliated with this publication, contributing to media coverage of the event.

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156-g_sec_001_ser_1-165-part_3_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search