The assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, the younger brother of America’s 35th president John F. Kennedy, has been a subject of ongoing debate and conspiracy theories for over 50 years. As with the death of JFK, many have questioned the official account of the events surrounding RFK’s death. Some people believe there was more than one shooter and that a cover-up may have taken place. The examination of the RFK autopsy photos housed in the National Archives has shed new light on some of these issues and brought forth new questions.
Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California, after winning the California Democratic Primary for the presidential election. Kennedy was shot several times by a gunman later identified as Sirhan Sirhan. He died the next day at Good Samaritan Hospital, surrounded by family and friends.
Although Sirhan Sirhan was caught and convicted for the murder of Robert F. Kennedy, there are many who believe that there was more than one shooter and that a cover-up may have taken place. The examination of the RFK autopsy photos housed in the National Archives has led to various findings and theories raised by different quarters.
Many questions have been raised regarding the autopsy photos of Robert F. Kennedy. For many years, the photos were not made available to the public and were kept locked away in the National Archives. Researchers and investigators who sought to study the photos were met with many difficulties as regulations surrounding the release of such photos were strict. The photos were eventually released to the public in January 2019, leading to an upsurge in new debates and theories.
One significant finding that came to light following the release of the photos was the nature of the wounds that Robert F. Kennedy sustained. Many researchers have noted that the photographs of the autopsy showed that the entry wound of one of the shots was located behind his right ear, while the entry wound of another shot was located behind his right armpit. These wounds did not match the trajectory of Sirhan Sirhan’s gun, causing many to believe there may have been a second shooter.
This finding brought about new evidence and questions regarding Kennedy’s assassination. According to medical and forensic experts, gunshots coming from different angles might imply the existence of more than one shooter at the scene. Additionally, the wounds on Kennedy did not match the patterns of the bullets in Sirhan Sirhan’s gun, leading many to believe that not all bullets came from Sirhan’s weapon.
Another finding that was made after studying the RFK autopsy photos was the possibility that a second weapon was fired. Several researchers have noted significant discrepancies between the number of bullet holes found in Kennedy’s clothes and the number of times Sirhan’s gun was fired. Furthermore, a bullet fragment was reportedly found on one of Kennedy’s clothes which could not be traced back to Sirhan’s gun.
There were other details discovered from the autopsy photos, which have fueled further theories and speculations. For instance, some researchers have pointed out that the photos indicate the presence of powder burns on Kennedy’s jacket, which could only have come from close-range shooting. These findings have led some to speculate that the shots were fired at point-blank range, which could ultimately point to the involvement of a second shooter.
Despite the new findings, many researchers acknowledge that much of what happened that fateful night at the Ambassador Hotel remains shrouded in controversy, with no one theory being conclusive. The existence of another shooter has been disputed by some researchers, who explain that the photos might not represent a true depiction of the trajectory of the shots fired. Additionally, the individual who created the angles of the photos, under the direction of the Medical Examiner-Coroner, may have unknowingly misled researchers.
In conclusion, the examination of the RFK autopsy photos housed in the National Archives has brought to light new findings and theories regarding the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. The photos continue to be of significant interest to researchers, law enforcement agencies, historians, and members of the public who are interested in historical events. While the photos have opened up a new level of investigation, they have also led to more questions and debates. It remains to be seen whether the evidence and theories will eventually lead to a conclusive account of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. However, the discovery of new evidence will continue to be an essential tool in piecing together one of the most tragic moments in American political history.
