Elvis Presley's sudden death in 1977 raised numerous questions, particularly regarding his postmortem report, which reveals significant details about his health, the circumstances of his death, and the controversies surrounding his autopsy.
The sudden death of Elvis Presley shocked the world, leaving many to wonder about the circumstances surrounding his passing. As a mythic figure in pop culture, both his life and death are shrouded in legends and lore. This blog post delves into the details of Presley's postmortem report, the controversies surrounding it, and the mysteries that still linger.
Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42, in the bathroom of his famous home, Graceland, located in Memphis, Tennessee. The official announcement stated, "Good evening. Elvis Presley died today — he was 42 — apparently of a heart attack." However, the details surrounding his death have been long debated.
A brief, two-page medical examiner's report, dated October 20, 1977, was completed by Dr. Jerry Francisco of the Shelby County Medical Examiner's office. This report, which became part of the public record, provides some insights into how Elvis was found and the circumstances of his death.
Interestingly, the autopsy was not ordered by the district attorney general but was requested by Elvis's father, Vernon Presley. The results of this autopsy were sealed until the 50th anniversary of Elvis's death, which adds an element of intrigue to the case.
The public report includes basic information about Elvis, such as his full name, Elvis Aron Presley, and his address at Graceland. However, some critical physical details, including weight, length, body temperature, and the date and time of death, were conspicuously left blank. This omission raises questions, especially considering that Elvis reportedly weighed around 350 pounds towards the end of his life.
Elvis struggled with significant health issues, including severe constipation, for which he received daily enemas and laxatives. There are rumors that he suffered from a condition known as "megacolon," which could have contributed to his health decline. The absence of an exact weight in the report leaves room for speculation about how these health issues may have played a role in his death.
Dr. Francisco classified Elvis's manner of death as "natural." The report indicates that by the time the medical examiner examined Elvis's body, he had reached the stage of rigor mortis, which can provide clues about whether the body was moved post-mortem.
In the report, the section for liver color was marked with an indistinct letter and a checkmark in the "Fixed" box. This likely refers to livor mortis, which describes how blood pools in the body after death and can help determine the time and cause of death.
The report also notes that Elvis had "congestion to face & upper torso," along with a pressure mark near his left eye and a sutured thoracotomy on the left side of his abdomen. The probable cause of death was listed as "H.C.V.D. associated with ASHD," which stands for hypertensive cardiovascular disease associated with arteriosclerotic heart disease.
Elvis was last seen alive at 8 a.m. on the morning of August 16, 1977, and was found at 2 p.m. His girlfriend, Ginger Alden, discovered him on the floor of his dressing room, although it is now widely accepted that he was actually found in the bathroom of his master bedroom. The police were notified at 3:30 p.m., and the report states that he was dead on arrival at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis.
The autopsy performed at Baptist Memorial Hospital has been a point of contention over the years, primarily because Vernon Presley chose to keep the results sealed. These findings are set to be released in 2027, which may finally provide more clarity on the circumstances surrounding Elvis's death.
The postmortem report of Elvis Presley raises numerous questions and highlights the complexities surrounding his untimely death. As fans and historians await the release of the sealed autopsy results, the mysteries of the King of Rock and Roll continue to captivate the public's imagination.
