In the aftermath of the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the actions of one of Lee Harvey Oswald’s associates have continued to raise eyebrows and fuel speculation. That individual is Larry Crafard, Oswald’s roommate at the time of the fateful events of November 22, 1963.
Crafard’s Abrupt Departure from Dallas
According to the Warren Commission report, just hours after Oswald was arrested for the murder of the President, Crafard suddenly left Dallas, hitchhiking to Michigan with only $7 in his pocket. This hasty exit and Crafard’s subsequent silence have made some wonder if he knew more about the assassination plot than he let on.
The Commission’s investigation found no evidence of Crafard’s involvement in a conspiracy. However, the report acknowledges that his abrupt departure and lack of communication with authorities have added to the air of mystery surrounding the JFK assassination.
Crafard’s Background and Relationship with Oswald
Larry Crafard worked as a handyman and helper at Jack Ruby’s Carousel Club, where Oswald’s roommate lived. Crafard had been living there since mid-October 1963, just a few weeks before the assassination.
Crafard’s family background was one of frequent moves and odd jobs, having worked in carnivals and as a crop picker across the country. This transient lifestyle may help explain his sudden decision to leave Dallas and hitchhike to Michigan to see his relatives.
The Commission’s investigation revealed that Crafard and Oswald had no close relationship. Crafard said he had never heard Oswald mention Jack Ruby or the Carousel Club. None of Oswald’s or Ruby’s neighbors knew of any association between the two men.
Crafard’s Departure and the Assassination Investigation
When Oswald was arrested, Crafard quickly gathered his belongings, took $5 from the Carousel Club’s cash register (the amount he was owed), left a receipt and a thank-you note, and hitchhiked to Michigan. This abrupt exit, just hours after the President’s assassination, has led some to speculate that Crafard may have been trying to distance himself from the events in Dallas.
However, the Commission’s investigation found no evidence to suggest Crafard’s departure was connected to the assassination. Crafard’s family members confirmed that his decision to leave was likely motivated by his dissatisfaction with working for Ruby and a desire to visit his relatives in Michigan.
Additionally, the Commission discovered that Crafard had expressed a desire to leave Dallas and Ruby’s employ even before the assassination, having told Ruby on November 17 that he wanted to stop working at the Carousel Club. When Ruby promised him a salary, Crafard agreed to stay on, but their argument on the morning of November 23 may have been the final push for Crafard’s hasty exit.
Debunking the Conspiracy Theories
While Crafard’s sudden departure and subsequent silence have fueled conspiracy theories, the Commission’s investigation found no evidence to support the idea that he was involved in a plot to assassinate President Kennedy.
The Commission noted that Crafard spoke freely and accurately when questioned, and his story was corroborated by the driver who gave him his first ride out of Dallas. Additionally, the Commission found an unmailed letter Crafard had written to a relative in Michigan at least a week before the assassination, indicating he had been considering leaving Dallas at that time.
Furthermore, the Commission’s examination of Crafard’s background and behavior revealed that his abrupt departure was not entirely out of character. As someone who had frequently moved around the country and taken odd jobs, Crafard’s decision to hitchhike to Michigan was not necessarily unusual or suspicious.
The Lasting Mysteries
While the Commission’s investigation was unable to find any evidence linking Crafard to a conspiracy, the circumstances surrounding his departure from Dallas continue to intrigue those who study the JFK assassination. The fact that Crafard remained silent about his associations with Oswald and Ruby, even when questioned, has added to the sense of mystery.
Additionally, the Commission’s report acknowledges that Crafard’s behavior, though likely innocent, was still “unusual” and “might be unusual for most persons.” This has led some to wonder if there was more to Crafard’s story than he revealed.
Conclusion: Unanswered Questions and the Enduring Allure of Conspiracy Theories
The disappearance of Lee Harvey Oswald’s roommate, Larry Crafard, in the immediate aftermath of the JFK assassination has continued to captivate the public’s imagination. While the Warren Commission’s investigation found no evidence of Crafard’s involvement in a conspiracy, the circumstances surrounding his abrupt departure from Dallas and his subsequent silence have fueled speculation and conspiracy theories.
Ultimately, the JFK assassination remains one of the most heavily scrutinized events in American history, and the actions of figures like Larry Crafard continue to be the subject of intense debate and analysis. Even decades later, the lingering questions and unanswered mysteries surrounding this tragic chapter in our nation’s history fascinate us.
