'There Was an Attempt to Steal Elvis’s Body’: Elvis Presley’s Girlfriend on His Death in Toilet at 42

• Elvis Presley's death at 42 occurred in his bathroom at his home in Graceland.
• His girlfriend revealed that after his funeral, unknown people attempted to steal his body from the mausoleum.
• This piece aims to shed light on the critical final days of Presley's life, piecing together narratives from family, friends, and confidants.

Elvis Presley is one of the most legendary figures in music history. He earned the title "The King of Rock and Roll" for his unparalleled impact on the musical world. However, fame and fortune did not spare him from facing difficulties and uncertainties in his last years.

In August 1977, the world was shocked by the sudden and tragic loss of this iconic figure. The cause of his death remains a subject of speculation and intrigue, with the official autopsy results slated for release in 2027. However, the days leading up to his untimely demise, as recounted by those closest to him, paint a poignant picture of a man grappling with the pressures of fame and personal challenges.

Contrary to the popular image of a solitary and nocturnal Presley, the crooner led a life surrounded by a network of close relationships and familial ties at his iconic residence, Graceland. Graceland, his sprawling home, was more than just a residence; it was a hub of activity, fully staffed at all times to cater to Presley's unique lifestyle.

This included family members, friends from the renowned Memphis Mafia, and other associates who were welcome at any hour, reflecting the dynamic and lively atmosphere within its walls. Presley's father, Vernon, played a significant role in this communal setting, residing next door with his new wife, Dee Stanley, and Presley's stepbrothers.

His girlfriend Ginger Alden also frequented Graceland, although she had yet to fully move in. Far from being isolated, Presley's home was a center of activity, where the people closest to him, including his cousin Billy Smith, gathered, irrespective of the hour.

Presley's untimely death left his fans with more questions than answers. While the official cause of his death remains a mystery, numerous accounts from close family and friends provide a poignant narrative of his final moments. In his last days, Presley exhibited a range of troubling behaviors and health challenges.

Cousin Smith recalled moments when they would chat for hours, sometimes discussing favorite Monty Python sketches. However, Presley often grappled with "paranoid obsessions" that reminded Smith of Howard Hughes.

Presley's last single, "Way Down," was released on June 6, followed by a tour filmed by CBS for a TV Special, "Elvis in Concert," set to air in October. During one concert in Omaha on June 19, Presley's voice was notably strained, resembling a small, childlike instrument as he struggled with the melodies.

On one of his midnight shows, Presley faced an apparent stage attack by four men. Despite swift security response and Presley's karate skills ejecting one intruder, he became fixated on the idea that karate instructor Mike Stone sent them to kill him. Despite evidence of the men being enthusiastic fans, Presley's intensity escalated, expressing a desire for Stone's death, leading to medical intervention.

The year 1972 marked the separation of Presley and his wife, Priscilla, leading to a divorce finalized on October 9, 1973. This event deeply affected Presley, described by Joe Moscheo as a blow from which he never recovered.

Throughout the year, Presley's health deteriorated, marked by barbiturate overdoses and hospitalizations, culminating in a semicomatose state at the end of 1973 due to pethidine addiction. These incidents painted a grim picture of Presley's declining mental and physical well-being in the twilight of his life.

Presley sought solace in obtaining drugs from a doctor, believing it separated him from the common drug user on the streets, according to his primary care physician, Dr. George C. Nichopoulos. Despite battling declining health, Presley's commitment to performing live shows intensified, reaching 168 concerts in 1973, his busiest schedule ever.

Even in 1974, amid failing health, he embarked on another extensive tour. Presley's health took a severe hit in September, culminating in alarming incidents during concerts. At a University of Maryland concert, he stumbled out of a limousine, resisting assistance, and clung to the microphone like a post for the first thirty minutes.

Keyboardist Tony Brown and guitarist John Wilkinson observed his deteriorating condition, describing slurred speech, evident drug influence, and physical decline. Wilkinson recounted, "He could barely get through the introductions." In Alexandria, Louisiana, Presley's performance was incomprehensible, and in Baton Rouge, he couldn't even leave his hotel bed, leading to the cancellation of the rest of the tour.

Despite his rapidly declining health, Presley fulfilled most touring commitments, though his nervousness and physical limitations were palpable on stage in Rapid City, South Dakota. The once slender and athletic star underwent a drastic transformation, ballooning to 25 stone and spending months confined to his bedroom, consuming cheeseburger platters.

His health deteriorated to the extent that he required a full-time nurse, and reports suggest he refused to bathe in 1975, developing sores across his body. Presley was renowned for his dynamic performances and tireless touring, yet these tours, especially in his final months, took a toll on his health.

Sally A. Hoedel, author of "Elvis: Destined to Die Young," emphasized Presley's escalating challenges as he toured extensively during his last years, exacerbating the strain on his health. Hoedel explained the physical toll of touring, highlighting that Presley consumed more medication during tours, indicative of the hardship on his body, particularly in the last years of his life. She explained, "The touring doesn't help. And he does that in the last several years of his life."

Hoedel's book delves into Presley's struggles, noting his confessions to backup singer Kathy Westmoreland about constant pain in his eyes and other ailments. Presley would candidly express the agony, asking for relief, saying, "God, I hurt all over." As noted by stepbrother Billy Stanley, Presley believed in conquering problems independently, likening himself to Superman, who never sought help.

Nichopoulos disclosed that Presley suffered from chronic pain due to degenerative issues in his back and neck stemming from severe arthritis. Presley's last day involved ordinary activities, dental appointments, and a late-night racquetball game. However, it concluded with a series of events that would unknowingly become his last.

Struggling with chronic pain, Presley took a combination of prescription drugs throughout the night, seeking relief and rest. Alden discovered him unresponsive in the bathroom at 1:30 p.m. Despite attempts to revive him, Presley was pronounced dead at 42. Presley's final day was a mix of the ordinary and the extraordinary, a blend of mundane activities and profound moments.

On Monday, August 15, 1977, at 4 pm, Presley began the day at Graceland, spending time with his daughter Lisa Marie and fiancée Alden. At 10:30 p.m., Presley and Alden visited his dentist, Lester Hoffman, to address persistent tooth pain.

The next day, at 12:30 a.m., he returned to Graceland, waving at fans as the last known photo of him was taken. Hours later, he called his physician, Dr. Nichopoulos, requesting more painkillers and was prescribed six Dilaudid tablets.

At 4 a.m., Presley invited his cousin Billy and his wife Jo for a racquetball game at his house. After the game, they went to a piano, where Presley played gospel songs and "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain." At 5 a.m., Presley and Alden went to his bedroom, where he took a package of prescription drugs from 'Dr. Nick.'

In the wee hours of the morning, unable to sleep, Presley took a second full package of pills, preparing for a concert tour. Desperate for sleep, Presley called for more medications, leading to frustration as Ricky, responsible until noon, couldn't be found.

At 9:30 a.m., after ingesting various medications, Presley informed Alden that he was going to the bathroom, unknowingly stepping into his final moments.

Dressed in pajamas, Presley took a copy of Frank Adams' "The Scientific Search for the Face of Jesus" with him to the bathroom, a place where he often spent extended periods due to chronic constipation. Alden recalls warning him not to fall asleep on the toilet, and Presley assured her he wouldn't.

Hours later, at 1:30 p.m., Alden woke up to find that Presley was not in the room. Initially unconcerned, she chatted with her mother, dressed, and applied makeup before searching for Presley. Upon opening the bathroom door, she discovered him lying on the floor, pajama bottoms around his ankles, seemingly having suffered an attack.

Alden thought he had fallen and hit his head, but Presley showed no signs of movement. Alden detailed the scene in her memoir, describing Presley's lifeless posture. She wrote, "His arms lay on the ground, close to his sides, palms facing upward. It was clear that, from the moment he landed on the floor, Elvis hadn't moved."

His death marked the end of an era, leaving a lasting impact on the music industry. Graceland, Presley's iconic mansion, has become a pilgrimage site for fans since 1982. While certain areas are open to visitors, the second floor, where Presley spent his final moments, remains sealed, reflecting the respect for his legacy.

Presley's final resting place underwent a series of events following his death. Initially interred beside his mother, Gladys, at Memphis' Forest Hill Cemetery, Presley's funeral on August 18 took place at Graceland. Tragically, outside Graceland's gates, a car incident claimed two lives and left another critically injured.

Approximately 80,000 mourners lined the route to Forest Hill Cemetery for the processional, where Presley was laid to rest next to his mother. However, an attempt to steal his coffin prompted a change of plans. Alden wrote in her memoir, "On August 29, there was an attempt to steal Elvis's body from the mausoleum." In response to the dreadful incident, both Presley and Gladys were reburied in the Meditation Garden at Graceland within days.

According to his ex-wife, Priscilla, his greatest fear was being forgotten. But decades after his death, his void in the music industry is still felt.

Presley's life may have been short, but his influence transcended genres and generations, and continues to inspire artists around the globe. His music continues to touch the hearts of millions, and his legacy as the King of Rock and Roll lives on.