Introduction
Why Elvis Presley’s Autopsy Report Will Not Be Released in 2027
On August 16, 1977, the world was shaken when Elvis Presley – the King of Rock & Roll – suddenly passed away at just 42 years old. His girlfriend at the time, Ginger Alden, found him unconscious in the bathroom at Graceland. Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors were unable to revive him. Elvis’s death instantly became one of the most shocking events in music history, and even today, the true cause remains a source of debate and speculation.
For decades, rumors have circulated that Elvis’s full autopsy report would be made public in 2027, marking the 50th anniversary of his death. However, this is not true. The official two-page medical examiner’s report, released back in 1977, already stated that Elvis died of heart disease. The detailed autopsy report—estimated to be over 50 pages—remains the private property of the Presley family and is not required to be released unless the family chooses to do so.
What will be made public in 2027 is Elvis’s complete death certificate, in accordance with Tennessee law. But since the cause of death—“heart attack”—was already disclosed, this document will not reveal anything new.
So why does the public still yearn for the autopsy details? Much of the curiosity comes from suspicions that Elvis’s prescription drug use played a role in his death. The controversial book “Elvis: What Happened,” published by three of his former bodyguards just weeks before his passing, fueled speculation that drugs, not just heart problems, contributed to his early death. Although Shelby County coroner Dr. Jerry Francisco insisted that “even without the drugs, Elvis still would have died from heart disease,” many fans believe otherwise.
Over the years, new theories have emerged. Some claim Elvis died from straining on the toilet due to severe constipation. Others, like Dr. Forest Tennant, argued he suffered from an autoimmune disorder linked to a serious head injury in 1967. These theories highlight how his death remains clouded in mystery.
What is certain is that 2027 will not deliver the long-awaited “shocking revelation” that many fans expect. The Presley family holds the only complete autopsy record, and unless they decide otherwise, the full truth about Elvis Presley’s final moments may forever remain a family secret.