Britt Jones
The myths surrounding the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s death has been plaguing his name for decades, but one author has come out to say that they’re all false.
Whether it was the infamous rumor that Elvis Presley died on the toilet while eating a sandwich, or he suffered from a drug overdose, there have been so many things that have been spread since his tragic passing on August 16, 1977.
At the age of 42, his short but sweet life brought joy to millions who loved his risqué dancing on stage and his crooning voice.
However, while his fans were busy mourning his life that was cut short, others were busy spreading lies about his passing, his autopsy and many other things.
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The 'Suspicious Minds' singer’s true death has been shrouded by the lies since his passing and Sally A Hoedel, the author of Destined to Die Young, has broken her silence on the matter.
According to the writer, while it’s true that the singer was found deceased at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, the circumstances are all wrong and not at all ‘gruesome’.
Having extensively researched his life, she’s adamant about ending the ‘sensationalized’ stories about him.
In an exclusive conversation with The Mirror US, she said that if anyone was hoping for a big revelation when his autopsy results are ‘released’ in three years, it’s not going to happen.
This is because they’re already available if you seek them out.
She said: “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."
Sally 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."
Even though the rumors about his death have been described as ‘gruesome’ or ‘dramatic’, it’s simply not the case.
While she notes that Elvis did, in fact, have poor health habits and dabbled in substance use, his death was likely due to a condition which had plagued his entire family for years.
She said: “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."
It could also be genetic, as liver and heart issues ran quite heavily in both sides of his family.
She explained: "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 recognisable. 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, died from a heart attack and his uncles died at ages 46, 49, and 59, from liver, heart, and lung-related issues.
According to the Province of Manitoba, the reason given for his death at the time was a cardiac arrhythmia suspected to be due to an interaction of an antihistamine, codeine, and Demerol, as well as Valium and several other tranquilizers.