</s>89A-LA-156 FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER LA - LOS ANGELES ALL FBI INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS UNICE: SSIFIED Class / Case # Sub Vol. Serial # DATE 3/6/25/85 BY D658749572 009 158 1A 1 1 A1 OPEN CA/2/25\11073 RRP/POVB5710 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14478

Summary  
The documents detail FBI efforts to transfer evidence related to Robert F. Kennedy’s (RFK) assassination to the FBI Experience museum in Washington, DC, under case numbers 89A-LA-156 and 994-LA=156. Evidence includes three-color photographs of bone fragments and lead bullets with human tissue from RFK’s skull, collected during an autopsy at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles on June 4–5, 1968, by Dr. Paul Wertlake. Tape recordings of interviews with Sirhan B. Sirhan (June 6, 1968) and photographs of the shooting scene and a Chrysler automobile (later deemed unrelated to the case) are also referenced. The FBI requested evidence not be subjected to X-ray due to potential damage. FedEx tracking details indicate delivery to Washington, DC, on July 29, 2020. Additional evidence includes 21 photographs taken by Peter Spencer Berkson and purchased by Life Magazine, depicting scenes at the Ambassador Hotel, acquired from Richard Pollard on June 12, 1968. A tape recording of the first phone call to police about the shooting and unit dispatch is referenced, collected on June 6, 1968. Film strips taken by Richard Drew document locations such as the RFK shooting aftermath, Sirhan Sirhan’s house, and other Los Angeles sites. Senior high school program cards for Sirhan Sirhan, a roster of “Young Professionals for Kennedy,” and correspondence linked to anti-Israeli racism groups were collected in Los Angeles between June 13–28, 1968, with some materials acquired via the New York Office via Airtel. These items were retained due to pending litigation under FBI case number LA 56-156 and classified for chain-of-custody documentation involving multiple agency transfers.  

Key People  
- Robert F. Kennedy (RFK): Victim of the assassination.  
- Sirhan B. Sirhan: Interviewed by LAPD on June 6, 1968; subject of senior high school program cards and photographic evidence.  
- Dr. Paul Wertlake: Pathologist who conducted the autopsy at Good Samaritan Hospital.  
- Peter Spencer Berkson: Freelance photographer who took photographs of scenes at the Ambassador Hotel.  
- Richard Pollard: Life Photo Editor who provided photographs to authorities.  
- Richard Drew: Staff photographer for Star News who documented events related to RFK’s assassination.  
- Jean More: Identified as a source for evidence collected from John Muir High School.  
- William Evensen: Linked to correspondence related to anti-Israeli racism groups.  
- SA Richard Ross, SA Richard P. Doucette, and SA Monka: FBI agents involved in submitting evidence.  

Key Locations  
- Los Angeles, California: Site of the assassination, evidence collection, and storage.  
- Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles: Location of the autopsy.  
- Ambassador Hotel (Los Angeles): Site of RFK’s assassination on June 5, 1968.  
- Sirhan Sirhan’s House: Subject of photographic evidence.  
- John Muir High School (Pasadena): Source of senior high school program cards.  
- New York Office: Involved in acquiring correspondence via Airtel.  
- Washington, DC: Destination for transferred evidence to the FBI Experience museum.  

Key Events  
- Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel.  
- Autopsy conducted by Dr. Paul Wertlake at Good Samaritan Hospital (June 4–5, 1968).  
- LAPD interviews with Sirhan B. Sirhan on June 6, 1968.  
- FBI request to transfer evidence to the FBI Experience museum (June 3, 2020).  
- FedEx delivery of evidence to Washington, DC (July 29, 2020).  
- Collection of photographs by Peter Spencer Berkson and Richard Drew documenting the assassination site and related locations.  
- Acquisition of senior high school program cards for Sirhan Sirhan and correspondence linked to anti-Israeli racism groups (June 13–28, 1968).  
- Retention of evidence due to pending litigation under FBI case number LA 56-156.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Responsible for evidence collection, transfer, and chain-of-custody documentation.  
- Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD): Conducted interviews and provided photographic materials.  
- Life Magazine: Purchased photographs from Peter Spencer Berkson, later seized as evidence.  
- Star News: Employed Richard Drew as a staff photographer.  
- Pasadena City Schools: Linked to John Muir High School as a source of program cards.  
- New York Office (FBI): Involved in acquiring correspondence via Airtel.

RFK Declassified Files

89-la-156-1a_sec_001_ser_1a1--part_1_of_7.pdf

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