Questions have swirled about how Elvis died ever since the iconic rocker was found dead on the bathroom floor at Graceland in Memphis on August 16, 1977.
The basic story of how Elvis died at just 42 years old is well-known, but it remains shrouded in both mystery and rumor. Let’s delve into the details and uncover the truth behind the King of Rock and Roll’s death.
When the King Was Found
Elvis’s fiancé, Ginger Alden, became concerned when she couldn’t find him while he was supposed to be preparing for his latest tour. She discovered his lifeless body in the bathroom, slumped forward in front of the commode. Although Elvis showed signs of life, he was rushed to the hospital where all attempts to revive him failed. Elvis Presley was pronounced dead at 3:30 PM on August 16, 1977.
The world mourned the loss of a legend, but the question remained: how did Elvis die?
The Autopsy Findings
Immediately after his death, three doctors performed Elvis’s autopsy. One doctor prematurely claimed that Elvis died of a heart attack and denied any involvement of drugs. However, the autopsy revealed a different story.
The toxicology report showed that Elvis had high levels of various drugs in his blood, dispelling the notion that drugs played no role in his death. It was later discovered that the doctors had attempted to cover up his drug usage at the request of his family.
The Role of Dr. Nick
Elvis’s long-time physician, Dr. George C. Nichopoulos, commonly known as “Dr. Nick,” played a significant role in the singer’s tragic demise. Presley had become dependent on amphetamines and barbiturates, which were prescribed by Dr. Nick. Between 1975 and 1977 alone, Dr. Nick wrote prescriptions for over 19,000 doses of drugs for Elvis.
Although Dr. Nick claimed he was just trying to control Elvis’s intake and prevent him from obtaining drugs illegally, he was put on trial in 1981 and had his medical license permanently revoked in 1995.
The Tragic End
While drugs certainly played a significant role in Elvis’s death, the actual cause remains somewhat uncertain. One theory suggests that the prolonged abuse of barbiturates caused severe constipation, and the strain of defecation could have triggered a fatal heart attack in combination with his obesity, other ailments, and drug abuse.
Regardless of the exact cause, the King of Rock and Roll suffered a tragically ignoble end.