Jonestown FBI File: What's Actually in the Declassified Records

Congressman Leo Ryan of California traveled to Jonestown, the Peoples Temple settlement in Guyana, after constituents raised concerns about relatives living there. As his party tried to leave with several defectors from the Port Kaituma airstrip, Temple gunmen opened fire, killing Ryan, three journalists, and a defector. Hours later, Jones ordered the community to drink poison. Because the killing of a member of Congress is a federal crime, the FBI opened the RYMUR case, and it also provided investigative assistance connected to the mass casualties, including handling material recovered from the settlement. According to the FBI, the Vault release consists of material released previously, dating from 1978 to 1979.

• ▸Investigative records from the RYMUR case into the murder of Congressman Leo Ryan
• ▸Material related to the FBI's assistance with the investigation of the mass deaths at Jonestown
• ▸Records spanning 1978 to 1979, previously released before being posted to the Vault

• ✗"Jonestown was in the United States." The settlement was in Guyana, in South America; Peoples Temple had been based in California.
• ✗"Everyone died willingly." Many died under coercion, and more than 300 of the dead were children.
• ✗"RYMUR is about Jim Jones." The case name stands for "Ryan murder" — the FBI's legal basis was the killing of a congressman.
• ✗"No one was ever held responsible." Temple member Larry Layton was convicted in a U.S. court in 1986 for his role in the conspiracy connected to Ryan's murder.

1. 1974–1977
   Peoples Temple establishes its agricultural settlement in Guyana; Jim Jones moves there with most members in 1977.
2. 1978
   November 17: Congressman Leo Ryan visits Jonestown.
3. 1978
   November 18: Ryan and four others are killed at Port Kaituma airstrip; more than 900 people die at Jonestown. The FBI opens the RYMUR investigation.
4. 1979
   Investigative activity documented in the FBI's release continues.
5. 1986
   Larry Layton is convicted in federal court in connection with Ryan's murder.

What does RYMUR mean?

RYMUR is the FBI case name for the investigation, short for "Ryan murder," after Congressman Leo Ryan.

Why did the FBI investigate Jonestown?

The FBI investigates violence against public officials, so the murder of Congressman Ryan brought the Bureau in. It also assisted with the investigation of the mass deaths.

How many people died at Jonestown?

More than 900 people died at Jonestown on November 18, 1978, in addition to Ryan and four others killed at the airstrip.

Where can I read the FBI's Jonestown file?

The original records are available through the FBI Vault source linked on this page.

Always consult the primary source. Public records may include redactions, allegations, and unverified informant claims.

Note: FBI Vault document previews sometimes fail to load. If the preview is stuck, use the “Download PDF” button on the FBI page.