Mafia, the FBI and unanswered questions

For years, rumours swirled that the Mafia had played a role in Kennedy's death. The newly released files don't debunk that theory. If anything, they make it more plausible.

FBI reports confirm what many suspected: the mob felt betrayed by the Kennedys. JFK's election victory was closely watched by organised crime figures, only for Robert F Kennedy, as attorney general, to declare war on the underworld.

The files now expose once-redacted names of informants — suggesting that the Mob had motive, means and connections.

And then there's Jack Ruby. The Dallas nightclub owner who shot Oswald before he could talk had deep ties to crime syndicates. Some reports suggest the FBI was warned about Ruby's intentions but failed to act. Even more chilling?

Certain documents hint at Ruby's links to Cuban exile groups, adding another layer of intrigue to an already tangled story.

A vault of secrets

Even with this final document dump, the puzzle remains incomplete. Many pages are still heavily redacted. Some files hint at intelligence failures; others suggest a possible cover-up.