6/9/2004 6:00:00 PM Bodies of missing trio found buried in levee/August 6, 1964
The bodies of three missing civil rights workers who disappeared here on June 21 were uncovered in a dam of a pond by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday Aug. 4. Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, both white, of New York and James Chaney, Negro, of Meridian, were last seen leaving Philadelphia on June 21 after paying a fine for speeding.
The bodies were found buried about 17 feet under the levee of the pond. It was learned that the dragline was moved into the area sometime Tuesday, thereby leaving the impression that the agents were fairly sure of what they would find.
The bodies of Schwerner and Goodman were positively identified by the FBI, and Chaney is expected to be shortly, it was learned. The FBI Office in Jackson said the intensive search by agents, the Highway Patrol and Sailors from the Naval Air Station in Meridian helped lead to the discovery. The fact that the dam was built only recently caused the agents to concentrate their search at the spot.
As soon as the announcement was made that the bodies had been found, a blockade of FBI agents and Highway Patrol was thrown up around the entire area.
Coroner Fulton Jackson impaneled a jury Wednesday morning and visited the scene, but the bodies by that time had been removed to University Hospital in Jackson for examination. The coroner’s jury was composed of Jack Thrash, H. C. Breazeale, E. C. Parker, Jack Weatherford, Joe Coghlan, and S. B. Simmons.
Coroner Jackson said he would not release any information or make any announcement as to the cause of the trio’s death until the report from Jackson was furnished his office.
It is believed that the trio was shot, either with a rifle or pistol, and it was learned that bullets were found in each of the three bodies. This information was learned by a very reliable source, who’s identity cannot be revealed at this time. The bodies were not mutilated in any way, the source said.
The FBI would not say whether any arrests would be made at this time and would not name any suspects.
The first word of the finding of the bodies was heard over television about 6:45 Tuesday evening, when the regular program at that hour was interrupted.
The farm on which the bodies were found is known as the old John Townsend place, but owned now by Mr. Burrage.
The FBI said an announcement would be made as soon as possible on the exact causes of death, which would come some time after the completion of the autopsy in Jackson.
Reader Comments
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Article comment by:
April Parham
Killen deserves to be put away for the rest of his life. He doesn't even need parole or house arrest. He deserves to be put away for killing those 3 young men. All because they were Civil Rights Workers and because he was a member of the KKK. I also send my condolence out to their families even though it happened so long ago. I wasn't even born yet but learned about it when I was growing up. It's sad how people do things like that to other people. It shouldn't be like that, everybody need to just get along with one another and be happy and stop all this killing.
Posted: Friday, February 15, 2008
Article comment by:
elonda bailey
I've watched the 4 little girls and mississippi burning, evening though i'm only 24 and i've never experinced those things i'm grateful that we had people to stand up for us now days we young kids take things for granted, but i ask myself what if that was me or my kids how would i feel, so right now i think that we as african americans are blessed and should relize the things that our people had to go through to get us were we are today
Posted: Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Article comment by:
quincy brisk
i would like more info on the 1963 birmigham church bombing.as much as you can please
Posted: Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Article comment by:
Denise Henderson
I was six years old and living in Merdian when this crime occurred. My Aunt was very active with the Civil Rights and I as a child can remember the first caucasian couple to visit my Grandmother's home. It was Mickey and Rita Schwerner, and it was less than two weeks later that Mickey, Andrew and James were reported missing. I strongly urge anyone interested to read; 3 Lives for Mississippi. I can not put into words the relief I felt when Mr. Killen was brought to justice.
Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Article comment by:
JIMMY KOLBIE
