For decades, the myths surrounding the death of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll have plagued his legacy, but one author insists they are all unfounded.
Among the many rumors are tales of Elvis Presley dying on the toilet while eating a sandwich or suffering from a drug overdose. These stories have persisted since his tragic death on August 16, 1977.
Elvis was only 42 when he passed away, but his brief life brought immense joy to millions with his provocative onstage moves and soulful voice.
While his fans were grieving the untimely end of his life, others were busy spreading falsehoods about his passing, his autopsy, and various other aspects related to his death.
The real circumstances of the ‘Suspicious Minds’ singer’s death have been obscured by these tales, but Sally A Hoedel, author of “Destined to Die Young,” has decided to speak out on the matter.
According to Hoedel, despite the fact that the singer was found dead at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, the actual circumstances were neither as dramatic nor as gruesome as often portrayed.
Hoedel, who has rigorously researched Elvis’s life, is determined to put an end to the sensational stories surrounding his death.
In an exclusive interview with The Mirror US, she noted that those anticipating a major revelation when his autopsy results are ‘released’ in three years will be disappointed.
This is because the autopsy results are already accessible to those who look for them.
She stated, “The myth of the autopsy report being released in 2027 continues to plague him. First, it suggests some smoking gun, which is just not the case.”
“Second, it is a private family document, and they will not be required to release it upon the 50th anniversary of his death. I believe this rumor began just over pure confusion.”
Hoedel explained, “According to Tennessee State Law, it is the death certificate that will be made public in 2027, not the autopsy report. The autopsy report and its contents are very much public already… there is no big mystery waiting to be revealed.”
Despite the rumors describing his death as ‘gruesome’ or ‘dramatic’, Hoedel asserts that this is not the case.
While she acknowledges that Elvis had poor health habits and some substance use, she believes his death was likely due to a hereditary condition affecting his family for generations.
She explained, “The simplistic idea is that it was a drug overdose and that he ate himself to death.
“Both are as far from the truth as you can get. There’s absolutely zero evidence of a drug overdose death; zero. It was a very quick heart-related issue.”
Hoedel also pointed out that heart and liver issues were prevalent on both sides of Elvis’s family.
She elaborated, “I don’t think he would have had a long life, given everything that was wrong with him and especially the heart and liver disorder that is present in his family.
“The heart issue is not necessarily recognizable. We don’t know what that is, but it’s absolutely precedent.
“We see it in the family, even his father died young. There is young related death on the Presley side of the family too.”
Elvis’ mother, Gladys, passed away from a heart attack, and his uncles died in their 40s and 50s from liver, heart, and lung-related issues.
According to the Province of Manitoba, the cause of Elvis’s death was recorded as a cardiac arrhythmia, suspected to be due to the interaction of an antihistamine, codeine, Demerol, Valium, and several other tranquilizers.