THE DEATH OF ELVIS PRESLEY-LONG LIVE THE KING
LuckyMitzi
THE BAPTIST HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. THE AIDES AND MEDICS FORMED A HUMAN
CURTAIN AROUND THE STRETCHER SO THAT NO ONE CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF THE FAMOUS
PATIENT AS HE WAS CARRIED INTO THE OPERATING ROOM. "CODE BLUE" HAD BEEN SOUNDED
THROUGHOUT THE BAPTIST HOSPITAL FIVE MINUTES EARLIER. TWO PHYSICIANS-ONE OF
THEM A SURGEON-A RESPIRATORY THERAPIST, AN OPERATING-ROOM NURSE AND AN
ANESTHETIST HAD DROPPED WHAT THEY WERE DOING AND HAD RUSHED TO THE E.R., WHERE
THEY RINGED THE STEEL OPERATING TABLE, PREPARING TO PULL ELVIS BACK FROM
DEATH. THE NURSE REMOVED HIS PYJAMAS AND TWO GOLDEN CHAINS, DEPOSITING THEM IN
AN IMPERSONAL PLASTIC BAG.
AS AN IV DRIP WAS INSERTED INTO HIS RIGHT ARM, THE MOST SENIOR OF THE
PHYSICIANS INJECTED IPINEPHERINE AND ISUPREL, POWERFUL MUSCLE STIMULANTS,
DIRECTLY INTO ELVIS' HEART. "THIS DOESN'T LOOK GOOD. THEY'RE USING POWERFUL
STUFF", SAID SUPERVISING NURSE CAROLE BINGHAM. "WE GOT TO DEFIBRILATE," THE
PHYSICIAN ANNOUNCED DEJECTEDLY AS THE ER NURSE PULLED OUT THE ODDLY SHAPED
PADDLES. THEY VIOLENTLY SHOCKED ELVIS' CHEST ONCE, THEN WAITED, THEN ZAPPED HIM
AGAIN. FOUR WEAK BEEPS REGISTERED ON THE MONITOR AND THE TEAM STIRRED WITH
EXCITEMENT. THEN THE HEART MONITOR WENT FLAT AGAIN. THE SENIOR PHYSICIAN
INJECTED ANOTHER STRONG DOSE OF EPINEPHERINE INTO ELVIS' HEART, THEN INJECTED A
THIRD DRUG, SODIUM BICARBONATE. ONCE AGAIN THERE WERE FOUR FAINT BEEPS. THE
ELECTRONIC PADDLES WERE APPLIED AGAIN AND AGAIN. THEY WORKED ON ELVIS' BODY FOR
ANOTHER THIRTY MINUTES, A FUTILE EFFORT SINCE RIGOR MORTIS WAS CONTRACTING AND
STIFFENING HIS BODY.
SLOWLY, THE TEAM BACKED AWAY. DR. GEORGE NICHOPOULOS LOOKED AT THE
FACE OF HIS LONG TIME PATIENT AND DEAR FRIEND FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE HE
SHUFFLED TOWARD THE WAITING ROOM. IT WAS TIME TO BREAK THE NEWS TO THE NEXT OF
KIN.
THE AUTOPSY BEGAN AT APPROXIMATELY 7:00 P.M. PATHOLOGISTS WERE
CONCERNED WITH SOMEBODY OF ELVIS' FAME THAT THE CONTROVERSIES DEVELOPED WITH
PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S AUTOPSY NOT DEVELOP HERE. THEY WANTED TO BE SURE THAT THE
HOSPITAL WASN'T EMBARASSED. AT THE SAME TIME THEY WERE INTENSELY AWARE OF THE
TIME CONSTRAINTS INVOLVED, AND IN FACT THEY WERE SCARCELY DONE WITH THE
PRELIMINARY STAGES OF THE PROCESS WHEN SHELBY COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER JERRY
FRANCISCO AND DR. ERIC MUIRHEAD, THE HOSPITAL'S CHIEF OF PATHOLOGY, LEFT WITH
FIVE OF THE HOSPITAL'S DOCTORS AND DR. NICK TO ADDRESS AN 8:00 P.M. PRESS
CONFERENCE THAT DR. FRANCISCO HAD CALLED. THERE, DR. FRANCISCO ANNOUNCED THE
RESULTS OF THE AUTOPSY, EVEN AS THE AUTOPSY WAS GOING ON. DEATH, HE SAID, WAS
"DUE TO CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA DUE TO UNDETERMINED HEART BEAT" BUT IN FACT AT THAT
TIME THERE WERE NO CONCLUSIVE RESULTS TO REPORT.
IN 1994, TO END THE CONTROVERSY AND FINALLY CLOSE THE OFFICIAL BOOKS
ON ELVIS PRESLEY'S DEATH, THE STATE TURNED TO A MAN MANY HAVE CALLED THE DEAN
OF AMERICAN PATHOLOGY.
DR. JOSEPH DAVIS, FORMER CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER OF DADE COUNTY,
FLORIDA WAS A CORONER FOR FORTY YEARS AND IS A VETERAN OF MORE THAN 20,000
AUTOPSIES. DR. DAVIS HAS BEEN CALLED THE DEAN OF AMERICAN PATHOLOGY. HE IS THE
PAST PRESIDENT OF BOTH THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES AND THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS, AND A PROFESSOR OF PATHOLOGY AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.
DR. DAVIS HAS EXAMINED ALL OF ELVIS PRESLEY'S DATA: TISSUE SAMPLES,
TWO THOUSAND SLIDES, A BULGING BOOK OF AUTOPSY PHOTOS AND ALL THE SECRET
ADDENDUMS TO BAPTIST HOSPITAL'S ORIGINAL POSTMORTEM. ADDITIONAL PAPER WORK WAS
PROVIDED BY THE ELVIS PRESLEY ESTATE. DR. DAVIS HAS FOUND IT RELATIVELY EASY TO
DISCERN THAT "ELVIS PRESLEY COULD NOT HAVE DIED OF A DRUG OVERDOSE, OR OF
POLYPHARMACY".
DR. DAVIS STATES "THERE IS NOTHING IN ANY OF THE DATA WHICH SUPPORTS
A DEATH FROM DRUGS. IN FACT, EVERYTHING POINTS TO A SUDDEN, VIOLENT HEART
ATTACK. FORGET THE ORIGINAL BIO-SCIENCE LAB RESULTS. THE SCENE ITSELF TELLS YOU
WHAT HAPPENED. THE POSITION OF MR. PRESLEY'S BODY TOLD ME HE WAS ABOUT TO SIT
DOWN ON THE COMMODE WHEN THE SEIZURE OCCURRED. HE PITCHED FORWARD ONTO THE
CARPET, HIS REAR IN THE AIR, AND WAS DEAD BY THE TIME HE HIT THE FLOOR". DR.
DAVIS SAYS, IN A DRUG OVERDOSE ELVIS WOULD HAVE SLIPPED INTO AN INCREASING
STATE OF SLUMBER. HE WOULD HAVE PULLED UP HIS PYJAMA BOTTOMS AND CRAWLED TO THE
DOOR TO SEEK HELP.
"IT TAKES HOURS TO DIE FROM DRUGS," SAYS DR. DAVIS. HE ADDS, " THE
ONLY WAY DRUGS COULD HAVE KILLED ELVIS PRESLEY THAT FAST WAS IF HE WERE SITTING
ON THE COMMODE SHOOTING UP A LETHAL DOSE OF HEROINE". AFTER COMBING THROUGH THE
MOUNTAINS OF AUTOPSY DATA DR. DAVIS HAS PRODUCED WHAT HE CALLS "THE REAL
SCIENTIFIC PROOF THAT ELVIS PRESLEY DIED OF A HEART ATTACK".
HE WAS GROSSLY OBESE, WITH MANY OF HIS OVER THREE HUNDRED POUNDS
GAINED IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS, AN ENORMOUS STRAIN ON THE HEART.
THE BODY HAD UNDERGONE "TWO HOURS OF RIGOR MORTIS BEFORE IT WAS
DISCOVERED. "A DRUG DEATH WOULD HAVE TAKEN MUCH LONGER, AND RIGOR PROBABLY
WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN PRESENT AT ALL".
THERE WAS NO DRUG RESIDUE IN ELVIS' SYSTEM, "NOT EVEN A SPOT OF THE
DYE THEY USE IN MOST MEDICINES. IN FACT, THERE WAS NO INTERNAL SIGN THAT HE HAD
TAKEN DRUGS SEVERAL HOURS BEFOR HE DIED".
FINALLY, THERE WAS NO PULMONARY EDEMA IN HIS LUNGS, AN ALMOST CERTAIN
TRADE MARK OF A DRUG DEATH. "IT WAS THE DRYEST SET OF LUNGS I HAVE EVER SEEN.
WITH THIS SORT OF DEATH YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN A TREMENOUS AMOUNT OF PULMONARY
EDEMA. DRY LUNGS ARE PROOF ENOUGH THAT HE DIDN'T DIE OF RESPIRATORY FAILURE DUE
TO CHEMICALS. THIS WAS A TEXT BOOKCASE OF DEATH BY HEART ATTACK.
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT HIS DEATH AT 42 WAS DECREED BY HIS GENETIC CODE.
THERE WAS A HISTORY OF HEART TROUBLE ON HIS MOTHER'S SIDE; IN FACT FEW MALES IN
HER FAMILY HAD LIVED PAST 45. YET IF HIS LIFE WAS SHORT, AND HIS DEATH
UNTIMELY, HIS IMPACT WAS AND CONTINUES TO BE ENORMOUS.
"THE MAN'S DYING, AND NOBODY WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT". PRODUCER FELTON JARVIS
1977 REPORT
THE BIO SCIENCE LABORATORY--VAN NUYS CALIFORNIA 1977 BLOOD RESULTS AT TIME OF
DEATH BLOOD TYPE 0:
CODEINE TEN TIMES THE THERAPEUTIC LEVEL
QUAALUDES TOXIC LEVELS
VALIUM LOW THERAPEUTIC LEVEL
VALMID IN THE THERAPEUTIC RANGE
PLACIDYL FOUR CAPSULES
PENTOBARBITAL N THE THERAPEUTIC RANGE
BUTABARBITAL IN THE THERAPEUTIC RANGE
PHENOBARBITAL LOW THERAPEUTIC RANGE
DURING THE AUTOPSY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CORONARY ATHEROSCLEROSIS
WAS OBSERVED;
THE LIVER SHOWED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE;
THE LARGE INTESTINE WAS CLOGGED WITH FECAL MATTER.
BLOOD TESTS REVEALED HIGH SUGAR LEVELS-BORDERLINE DIABETIC
ELVIS' HEART WEIGHED 520 GRAMS
THE AVERAGE HEART WEIGHS 375 GRAMS
CURIOUSLY ON THE AUTOPSY REPORT ELVIS' WEIGHT IS MISSING.
ELVIS' AUTOPSY REPORT
PHONE CALL TO FUNERAL DIRECTOR
"MR. PRESLEY HAS PASSED AWAY MR. KENDALL. YOU'LL BE HEARING SOON FROM AN
ASSOCIATE OF MR. PRESLEY'S. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW SO THAT YOU'LL BE
READY."
BAPTIST HOSPITAL CHAPLIN
HEARSE CARRYING ELVIS' BODY TO THE MEMPHIS MORGUE FROM BAPTIST HOSPITAL 10:05
P.M.
VIEW FUNERAL PHOTOS
VIEW HEADLINES & REACTION
PHOTOS OF A MAN IN TROUBLE
THE INVESTIGATION
THE AUTOPSY
THE BODY WAS LAID OUT ON A STAINLESS STEEL TABLE, EQUIPPED WITH A
SINK AND DRAINS, UNDER A BATTERY OF POWERFUL LIGHTS SIMILAR TO THOSE USED IN
OPERATING ROOMS. THE AUTOPSY WAS CONDUCTED BY DR. ERIC MUIRHEAD, CHIEF OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY. DRESSED IN A GOWN WITH A PLASTIC PROTECTIVE APRON AND
FLANKED BY HIS ASSISTANT, NOTEBOOK IN HAND, THE PATHOLOGIST COMMENCED THE
PROCESS BY EXAMINING CAREFULLY THE SURFACE OF THE BODY, WHICH HE FOUND PITTED
WITH COUNTLESS NEEDLE MARKS. UNDER THE SKIN HE FOUND TRACES OF HEMATOMAS. ONCE
EVERY DETAIL OF THE SURFACE HAD BEEN NOTED, THE INTERNAL EXAMINATION COMMENCED.
THE PATHOLOGIST MADE A 'Y' INCISION: TWO LONG CUTS FROM THE SHOULDERS
DOWN TO THE BELLY BUTTON AND THEN A SINGLE INCISION DOWN THE ABDOMEN TO THE
PUBIS. THE SKIN WAS LIFTED BACK AND SECURED SO THEY COULD EXAMINE THE
UNDERLYING TISSUES AND MUSCLES. THE RIB CAGE WAS THEN CUT WITH A SAW SO THAT
THE CHEST PLATE COULD BE REMOVED, EXPOSING THE HEART AND LUNGS. EACH MAJOR
ORGAN WAS EXAMINED, REMOVED AND WEIGHED. SLICES OF THE LIVER AND KIDNEYS WERE
TAKEN AND PUT INTO BOTTLES FILLED WITH PRESERVATIVES FOR MICROSCOPIC
EXAMINATION AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS IN THE TOXICOLOGY LABORATORY: THEY THEN
OPENED THE STOMACH AND EXAMINED IT'S CONTENTS, SAMPLES ARE TAKEN OF THE BLOOD,
BLOOD SERUM, URINE, SPINAL FLUID AND BOWEL CONTENTS. THE FINAL TASK OF THE
AUTOPSY WAS TO EXAMINE THE BRAIN. THE SCALP WAS CUT AND PULLED BOTH BACKWARD
OVER THE NAPE OF THE NECK AND FOREWARD OVER THE FACE TO EXPOSE THE SURFACE OF
THE SKULL. THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE HEAD WAS THEN CUT WITH A POWER SAW. ONCE THE
TOP OF THE SKULL WAS LIFTED, THE BRAIN BENEATH WAS EXAMINED AND SCOOPED OUT FOR
SAMPLING AND SECTIONING.
AFTER EVERY PART AND ORGAN HAD BEEN EXHAUSTIVELY EXAMINED, THE THREE
HOUR PROCEDURE TERMINATED WITH THE REMAINS OF THE BRAIN BEING PUT BACK INSIDE
THE SKULL AND THE INTERNAL ORGANS GATHERED IN A BAG AND STUFFED BACK INSIDE THE
BODY CAVITY, WHICH WAS THEN STITCHED UP. THE CORPSE WAS THEN WRAPPED IN A PAPER
SHROUD NOW READY FOR THE EMBALMER AND COSMETICIAN.
ELVIS & GRACELAND DIRECTORY
CLICK A CATEGORY
Dixie
GAINED IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS, AN ENORMOUS STRAIN ON THE HEART."
300 pounds???? Get real!!! This was fairly interesting to read, even if it
was difficult at times, but you could have spared us "The Autopsy" part... I
didn't read it completely because I couldn't stomach it..sorry, but that's
how I feel.
Isabelle
LuckyMitzi
EProudMary
>didn't read it completely because I couldn't stomach it..sorry, but that's
>how I feel.
>Isabelle
There is plenty of this around on the web,
I don't think this is the place for it. Mitzi,you could have just sent the link
you got it from. But it's done now. Hope it doesn't get the response it might
get .
Mary
Nerak312
>From: lucky...@aol.com
>HEART TROUBLE ON HIS MOTHER'S SIDE; IN FACT FEW MALES IN
>HER FAMILY HAD LIVED PAST 45.
Isn't Billy Smith related to Elvis on his Mother's side? How old is he now?
> HE WAS GROSSLY OBESE, WITH MANY OF HIS OVER THREE HUNDRED POUNDS
>GAINED IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS,
This is hogwash, there isn't anyway Elvis weighed 300 lbs. I have known people
that weighed that much even at 6 ft., and they were much bigger than Elvis
Presley. I had an uncle that weighed 250 lb. at 6 ft. tall, and he was bigger
than Elvis. Give me a break...!!!
We have been given soooo many different reasons for his death. Why not release
the Autopsy Reports, and put this thing to rest once and for all
Sue
Moono123
> "HE WAS GROSSLY OBESE, WITH MANY OF HIS OVER THREE HUNDRED POUNDS
>GAINED IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS, AN ENORMOUS STRAIN ON THE HEART."
>
>300 pounds???? Get real!!! This was fairly interesting to read, even if it
>was difficult at times, but you could have spared us "The Autopsy" part... I
>didn't read it completely because I couldn't stomach it..sorry, but that's
>how I feel.
>Isabelle
>
>
>> AT 2:55 A.M. AUG. 16, 1977 THE AMBULANCE FINALLY REACHED THE DOOR OF
That was PM not AM.
Marty
Bill Burk
>> PATHOLOGISTS WERE
CONCERNED WITH SOMEBODY OF ELVIS' FAME THAT THE CONTROVERSIES DEVELOPED WITH
PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S AUTOPSY NOT DEVELOP HERE. THEY WANTED TO BE SURE THAT
THE
HOSPITAL WASN'T EMBARASSED. >>
First, typing in ALL CAPS takes away from the readability, and slows down
the comprehension.
Second, the autopsy was performed NOT to escape embarrassment, but because
Shelby County law "demands" an autopsy of anyone who did not die in the
hospital.
Next, , this Dr. Davis you quote -- I think the only place he shows up is in
the book, "Down at the End of Lonely Street." I think Pat Broeske and Peter
Harry Brown, the authors (Brown specifically) asked Dr. Davis to look over
the autopsy as performed by the Baptist Hospital team headed by the late Dr.
Muirhead.
He, to my knowledge and memory, is the ONLY person to refute the
"polypharmacy" finding.
I went back to Baptist officials and to members of the autopsy team after
this book came out and they stuck to their guns on the "polypharmacy"
finding. THEY were THERE!
As for Dr. Francisco's public announcement, I will go to my grave firmly
believing Jerry knew he was covering it over because of Elvis' status as a
cultural icon.
"Elvis, baseball, Chevrolet and apple pie."
As to the body weighing 300+ pounds at time of death, one of the doctors
told me at 6:30 the evening of 16 August 1977 that he had weighed in at 232.
His normal weight was 180.
And I further recognize excerpts from the Thompson/Cole book, specifically
going thru the autopsy, cut by cut.
When I read that the first time, I felt certain they were describing a
"normal" autopsy procedure and making it sound as if they were there
watching it. I don't doubt it happened that way, but as one has already
responded, they could have left that out.
But let's keep in mind, Thompson and Cole had been involved with Geraldo
Rivera in his more sensational days on TV, and thus the autopsy report.
007
--
******************
Bill E. Burk
Publisher, Elvis World Magazine
LuckyMitzi
I'm sorry if I made anyone uncompfortable.
Here is the link,
http://linmo.homestead.com/gracelandmenu.html
I found this site interesting,perhaps you will too.
Mitzi had nothing to do with this posting,
I alone visit this group.
My best to you all,
Lucky
suave harv
LuckyMitzi
What a horrible waste.
<IMG SRC="http://memoriesoftheking.homestead.com/files/rest_1977_1.jpg">
Johnny
cite where you got it from. Then you should take the time to make sure it
isn't in ALL CAPS, which is very hard to read.
As it is, after reading Bill Burk's posting, the text contains many
inaccuracies ... why post it in the first place?
Johnny
U-S-A
In article <20010528050638...@ng-mb1.aol.com>,
LuckyMitzi
>
>Johnny
>U-S-A
Y is a crooked letter.
Lucky
LuckyMitzi
ELVIS AWOKE AROUND FOUR O'CLOCK ON THE AFTERNOON OF AUGUST 15 AND
WATCHED TV FOR AWHILE THEN WENT TO THE BATHROOM WHERE HE HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY
DUE TO HIS CONSTANT CONSTIPATION. HE READ A FEW PASSAGES FROM 'THE IMPERSONAL
LIFE' THEN NOTIFIED MARY JENKINS WHO HAD JUST COME ON DUTY HE WOULD LIKE SOME
JELLO.
AUGUST 15, 7:00 P.M.
ELVIS SENT FOR BILLY AT SEVEN O'CLOCK. HE THOUGHT MAYBE HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE
THE NEW FILM ABOUT GENERAL MAC ARTHUR STARRING GREGORY PECK......IT WASN'T
SUPPOSE TO BE AS GOOD AS PATTON, BUT THEN, HE DIDN'T KNOW MANY MOVIES THAT
WERE.....SO HE GAVE RICKY THE JOB OF TRYING TO SET UP A SCREENING AND WAS
DISAPPOINTED WHEN THE THEATER COULDN'T COME UP WITH AN AVAILABLE PRINT.
AUGUST 15, 8:00 P.M.
ELVIS AND BILLY WATCHED TV FOR AWHILE; THEN HE HAD BILLY CALL GINGER
TO GET HER TO COME OVER FOR HIS 10:30 P.M. DENTIST'S APPOINTMENT WITH DR.
HOFMAN. HE STILL WASN'T SURE IF GINGER WAS GOING TO BE FLYING OUT WITH HIM THE
FOLLOWING NIGHT, AND HE WAS UPSET ABOUT THAT.......BUT MOSTLY, BILLY THOUGHT,
HE WAS ON EDGE JUST LIKE HE GOT BEFORE ANY TOUR. WHICH ON BALANCE WAS A GOOD
SIGN. HE WAS EVEN TALKING ABOUT GOING OUT TO VAIL AGAIN SOMETIME SOON SO HE
COULD SHOW GINGER THE BEAUTY OF THE COUNTRY.....BILLY AND ELVIS CHATTED ABOUT
THE POSSIBILITY OF TAKING ALICIA KERWIN ON THE FIRST PART OF THE TOUR IF GINGER
COULDN'T MAKE IT.
AUGUST 15, 9:30 P.M.
BILLY HELPED HIM ON WITH HIS BLACK DEA SWEAT SUIT, AND HE PULLED ON A
PAIR OF BLACK PATENT LEATHER BOOTS WHICH HE WAS UNABLE TO ZIP UP BECAUSE HIS
ANKLES WERE SO SWOLLEN.
THE PLANE WAS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE THE EVENING OF AUGUST 16th. FOR
PORTLAND, MAINE, FOR ELVIS' FIRST CONCERT IN MORE THAN TWO MONTHS. ONE WEEK
PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, ELVIS WENT ON A NEAR STARVATION DIET. (IN PAST YEARS, HE
USED TO EXERCISE AND DIET FOR MONTHS IN ORDER TO GET HIS WEIGHT DOWN FOR HIS
TOURS.) HE ATE MOSTLY JELLO MADE WITH ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER, WHEN THERE WAS NO
WEIGHT LOSS AFTER FIVE DAYS HE WOULD TRY A TOTAL FAST.
AUGUST 15, 10:00 P.M.
DR. NICK STOPPED BY FOR A FEW MINUTES TO SEE HOW HE WAS DOING, AND
ONCE GINGER ARRIVED HE STUCK A PAIR OF .45s INTO THE WAIST BAND OF HIS SWEAT
PANTS AND HEADED DOWN THE BACK STAIRS WITH GINGER AND CHARLIE AND HIS COUSIN.
JOE ESPOSITO, JUST IN FROM CALIFORNIA, WAS SITTING IN THE KITCHEN WITH SOME OF
THE GUYS, BUT BILLY TOLD HIM THAT ELVIS WAS IN A HURRY AND DIDN'T REALLY NEED
ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, HE'D CATCH UP WITH HIM LATER.
AUGUST 15, 10:30 P.M.
AT ELVIS' 10:30 APPOINTMENT DR. HOFMAN CLEANED ELVIS' TEETH AND
FILLED A COUPLE OF SMALL CAVITIES, THEN AT ELVIS' INSTIGATION CLEANED GINGER'S
TEETH, TOO, AND GAVE HER MOUTH A THOROUGH EXAMINATION. ELVIS INVITED THE
DENTIST TO COME OUT TO THE HOUSE WITH HIS WIFE ONE OF THESE DAYS TO SEE HIS
FERRARI, AND DR. HOFMAN WONDERED IF MAYBE HE COULD HITCH A RIDE OUT TO
CALIFORNIA WITH ELVIS ON THE LISA MARIE SO HE COULD PAY A QUICK VISIT TO HIS
DAUGHTER. THEY BOTH HAD DAUGHTERS OUT IN CALIFORNIA, ELVIS SAID
SMILINGLY.....WHY DIDN'T THEY SURPRISE THEM BY FLYING OUT FOR LUNCH ONE DAY AT
THE CONCLUSION OF THIS TOUR? ELVIS WAS IN GOOD SPIRITS WHEN HE LEFT; NEITHER OF
THE TEETH THAT DR. HOFMAN HAD WORKED ON WAS BOTHERING HIM, HE SAID.....BUT HE
MADE SURE TO GET SOME CODEINE TABLETS JUST IN CASE ONE OF THEM ACTED UP.
AUGUST 16, 12:30 A.M.
IT WAS ALMOST 12:30 A.M. BY THE TIME THEY GOT BACK TO THE HOUSE, AND
ELVIS WENT UPSTAIRS WITHOUT SEEING ANYONE. HE CALLED DOWN TO JOE ABOUT SOME
LAST MINUTE TOUR DETAILS AND CONFERED WITH SAM THOMPSON, TOO, ABOUT TAKING LISA
BACK TO CALIFORNIA ON A LATE-AFTERNOON COMMERCIAL FLIGHT. THEN SAM WENT HOME TO
CATCH A LITTLE SLEEP, AND JOE RETURNED TO HIS ROOM AT HOWARD JOHNSON'S, WHERE
LARRY GELLER, TOO, WAS STAYING IN ANTICIPATION OF THEIR DEPARTURE SOMETIME
LATER THAT DAY. LARRY HAD TOLD ELVIS HE WOULD HAVE SOME NEW BOOKS FOR HIM ON
THIS TOUR, AND HE WAS NOT SURPRISED TO BE AWAKENED BY A CALL FROM AL STRADA
REQUESTING THAT HE BRING THE BOOKS OVER TO THE HOUSE SO ELVIS COULD TAKE A LOOK
AT THEM RIGHT AWAY. LARRY TOOK CARE TO PLACE FRANK O. ADAMS 'A SCIENTIFIC
SEARCH FOR THE FACE OF JESUS', AN INQUIRY INTO THE MYSTERY OF THE SHROUD OF
TURIN, AT THE TOP OF THE PILE. IT WAS A SUBJECT HE AND ELVIS HAD SPOKEN OF
OFTEN, AND HE WAS SURE ELVIS WOULD GET A GREAT DEAL OUT OF THE BOOK. HE THEN
CALLED DICK GROB, THE FORMER PALM SPRINGS POLICEMAN, TO SEE IF HE COULD FIND
THE LEAD SHEETS FOR THE NEW SONGS HE WANTED TO TRY OUT ON THIS TOUR. AS ELVIS
AND GROB CONTINUED THEIR CONVERSATION, THE TOPIC OF THE RECENT PRESS REPORTS
CONCERNING ELVIS' HEALTH AND THE SHOCKING REVELATIONS IN "ELVIS......WHAT
HAPPENED?" CAME UP.
AUGUST 16, 1:45 A.M.
ELVIS AND GINGER WERE HAVING MUCH THE SAME ARGUMENT THAT THEY HAD AT
THE START OF ANY TOUR. ELVIS WANTED HER TO FLY OUT WITH HIM BUT SHE SAID SHE
COULDN'T BECAUSE SHE WAS HAVING MENSTRUAL CRAMPS, BUT SHE WOULD JOIN HIM BEFORE
HE EVEN KNEW IT. HE WAS JUST BEING SILLY, SHE SAID, HE'D PROBABLY JUST GET SICK
OF HER IF SHE STAYED WITH HIM THE ENTIRE TIME. FINALLY AFTER ELVIS' PERSISTANCE
SHE AGREED TO PACK HER BAGS AND JOIN HIM ONLY IF ROSEMARY HER SISTER, COULD
JOIN THEM.
AUGUST 16, 2:15 A.M.
AROUND 2:15 A.M. ELVIS CALLED DR. NICK TO LET HIM KNOW THAT ONE OF
THE TEETH DR. HOFMAN HAD FILLED WAS BOTHERING HIM AND HE NEEDED SOME DILAUDID,
SO DR. NICK WROTE THE PRESCRIPTION FOR THE FIRST OF THREE PACKETS OF
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS WHICH CONTAINED SECONAL, PLACYDIL, VALMID, TUINAL, DEMEROL
AND OTHER ASSORTED DEPRESSANTS AND PLACEBOS. ELVIS HAD RICK STANLEY PICK UP THE
PRESCRIPTION AT BAPTIST MEMORIAL'S ALL NIGHT PHARMACY . THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST
OF THREE PACKETS THAT ELVIS WOULD RECEIVE THAT NIGHT TO HELP COAX HIM TO SLEEP.
ELVIS DIDN'T BOTHER TO TELL ANYONE THAT DR. HOFMAN HAD PRESCRIBED AN ADDITIONAL
FIFTY CODEINE CAPSULES THE EVENING BEFORE, OR THAT HE HAD A STASH OF SYRINGES
AND MORPHINE ELIXIRS HIDDEN IN THE BATHROOM.
AUGUST 16, 5:00 A.M.
AT 5:00 A.M. ELVIS CALLED BILLY TO SEE IF HE AND JO MIGHT LIKE TO
PLAY A LITTLE RACQUETBALL. EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD BEEN ASLEEP, BILLY SAID SURE,
AND HE AND JO THROUGH ON SOME CLOTHES AND WALKED OVER TO THE HOUSE. IT HAD BEEN
RAINING OFF AND ON ALL EVENING, AND IT STARTED UP AGAIN JUST AS THE FOUR OF
THEM ALL WALKED OUT TO THE RAQUETBALL BUILDING UNDER THE COVERED WALKWAY.
GINGER AND JO BARELY HIT ANY BALLS BEFORE LEAVING THE COURTS TO THE
GUYS, BUT ELVIS TIRED RAPIDLY, AND SOON THE GAME DEGENERATED INTO A GAME OF
DODGE BALL, WITH ELVIS TRYING TO HIT BILLY WITH EVERY SHOT. EVENTUALLY HE HIT
HIMSELF ON THE SHIN WITH HIS OWN RAQUET AND QUIT. "BOY, THAT HURTS," HE SAID,
LIFTING UP HIS PANTS LEG TO REVEAL AN UGLY WELT. "IF IT AIN'T BLEEDING," SAID
BILLY, EMPLOYING ONE OF HIS COUSIN'S FAVORITE SAYINGS, "IT AIN'T HURTING". AND
HE AND JO BURST OUT LAUGHING AS ELVIS THREW HIS RAQUET AT HIM.
AUGUST 16, 7:30 A.M.
AT 7:30 P.M. RICKY STANLEY BROUGHT THE SECOND PACKET OF PRESCRIPTION
DRUGS OR 'ATTACKS' AS ELVIS OFTEN CALLED THEM. AFTERWARD ELVIS SAT AT THE PIANO
IN THE LOUNGE AREA OF THE RAQUETBALL BUILDING AND FOOLED AROUND WITH A FEW
NUMBERS, ENDING WITH WILLIE NELSON'S "BLUE EYES CRYING IN THE RAIN". BACK AT
THE HOUSE BILLY HELPED ELVIS WASH AND DRY HIS HAIR, WHILE ELVIS IDLY GLANCED AT
THE BOOK ON THE SHROUD OF TURIN THAT LARRY HAD BROUGHT HIM.
AUGUST 16, 8:45 A.M.
AT 8:45 A.M. ELVIS CALLED DOWN FOR HIS THIRD PACKET BUT BY THAT TIME
RICKY HAD DISAPPEARED, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS SUPPOSE TO BE ON DUTY TILL NOON. TISH
HENLEY, ELVIS' PRIVATE NURSE HAD ALREADY GONE TO WORK AT DR. NICK'S OFFICE, SO
ELVIS HAD HIS AUNT DELTA CALL HER AT THE OFFICE, AND AFTER CONFERING WITH THE
DOCTOR, TISH GAVE HER HUSBAND INSTRUCTIONS TO BRING DELTA THE THIRD PACKET.
WHEN AUNT DELTA BROUGHT THE MEDICATION, ELVIS INFORMED HER THAT HE WAS PLANNING
TO GET UP AT AROUND 7:00 O'CLOCK THAT EVENING.
AUGUST 16, 9:15 A.M.
ELVIS CALLED DOWN TO HIS AUNT DELTA FOR SOME ICE WATER AND SAID HE
WAS HAVING A HARD TIME SLEEPING.
AUGUST 16, 10:00 A.M.
AFTER TAKING HIS THIRD PACKET OF RATIONED DRUGS HE FOUND HE STILL
COULDN'T SLEEP AND THIS WAS AROUND 10:00 A.M. AUGUST 16th. ELVIS ROLLED OVER ON
THE BED AND KISSED GINGER LIGHTLY AND TOLD HER HE WAS GOING TO THE BATHROOM AND
READ FOR AWHILE, HE EXPLAINED. "OKAY," SHE SIGHED, "BUT DON'T FALL ASLEEP." HE
SMILED AT HER AND ANSWERED, "I WON'T."
AUGUST 16, 1:30 P.M.
GINGER AWOKE AROUND 1:30 P.M., ROLLED OVER, WENT BACK TO SLEEP FOR A
FEW MINUTES, THEN CALLED HER MOTHER. HOW WAS ELVIS? HER MOTHER ASKED, AND
GINGER SAID SHE DIDN'T KNOW, HE HAD NEVER COME BACK TO BED, MAYBE SHE HAD
BETTER GO CHECK ON HIM. FOR ALL SHE KNEW, HE HAD GONE DOWNSTAIRS OR EVEN LEFT
THE HOUSE. THE ONLY THING THAT OCCUPIED HER MIND WAS THE THOUGHT THAT WITHIN A
MATTER OF HOURS SHE WOULD BE LEAVING TO GO ON THE TOUR. SHE WASHED AND PUT ON
HER MAKE-UP IN HER OWN BATHROOM, THEN KNOCKED ON ELVIS' BATHROOM DOOR. WHEN
THERE WAS NO ANSWER, SHE PUSHED ON IT AND DISCOVERED HIM LYING ON THE FLOOR,
HIS GOLD PAJAMA BOTTOMS DOWN AROUND HIS ANKLES, HIS FACE PRESSED FIRMLY AGAINST
THE THICK SHAG CARPET. IN A DAZE SHE CALLED DOWNSTAIRS AND ASKED TO SPEAK TO
SOMEONE ON DUTY, AND THE MAID PUT AL STRADA ON THE LINE. SHE SAID, WITH AN
URGENCY IN HER VOICE "THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH ELVIS YOU'D BETTER GET UP
HERE QUICK".
SHE CAUGHT HER BREATH, AS SHE FOUND HERSELF THINKING, "OH MY GOD,
HE'S DEAD". TREMBLING VIOLENTLY SHE DROPPED TO HER KNEES AND REACHED OUT FOR
HIM. BUT WHEN SHE TRIED TO TURN HIS HEAD TOWARD HER, IT SEEMED AS IF HIS NECK
HAD STIFFENED. SHE COULD ONLY WRENCH HIS FACE A FEW INCHES, THEN, TO HER JOY,
HE "EXHALED". SHE SLAPPED HIM LIGHTLY ON THE FACE. NO RESPONSE. SHE TRIED
AGAIN, HARDER. SCRAMBLING TO HER FEET, BY THIS TIME AL STRADA HAD ARRIVED AND
HAD DROPPED TO HIS HANDS AND KNEES IN A VAIN ATTEMPT TO TURN ELVIS OVER. JOE
ESPOSITO BOUNDED INTO THE ROOM AND KNELT DOWN TO HELP AL ROLL THE BOSS OVER
ONTO HIS BACK. AGAIN ELVIS EXHALED. THOUGH HE WANTED TO BELIEVE ELVIS WAS STILL
ALIVE, JOE KNEW THE TRUTH AS SOON AS HE FELT ELVIS' STIFF, ICE COLD ARMS: RIGOR
MORTIS WAS OBVIOUS. JOE HOPED ELVIS WAS NOT DEAD, HE WAS IN DEEP DENIAL. THAT
HOPE INTENSIFIED WHEN ELVIS AGAIN "EXHALED".
THE "EXHALE" WAS ACTUALLY AIR MOVEMENT IN THE BODY.
"EVERYBODY MOVE AWAY!" JOE ORDERED AS HE STRADDLED ELVIS' CHEST,
ADMINISTRATING CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION, AS IF FORCE ALONE COULD YANK
ELVIS BACK TO CONSCIOUSNESS.
AUGUST 16, 2:33 P.M.
AL STRADA RUSHED TO THE PHONE AND SUMMONED PARAMEDICS TO GET TO
GRACELAND IMMEDIATELY, IT WAS AN EMERGENCY. STRADA ALSO DIALED DR. GEORGE
NICHOPOULOS AND TOLD HIM THEY HAD AN EMERGENCY.
VERNON PRESLEY, ILL AND PARTIALLY INFIRM, ENTERED THE ROOM ON THE ARM
OF HIS NIECE PATSY PRESLEY. SEEING HIS SON, HE BEGAN TO CRY. AS THE ROOM
DESCENDED INTO CHAOS, PATSY BEGAN TO PRAY ALOUD AND VERNON JOINED IN AND
CHARLIE HODGE COULDN'T HELP BUT BREAK DOWN.
AUGUST 16, 2:48 P.M.
FINALLY THE MEMPHIS FIRE DEPARTMENT'S UNIT 6 FROM ENGINE HOUSE NO. 29
IN WHITEHAVEN, JUST MINUTES FROM GRACELAND, CAREENED AROUND THE CORNER AT
GRACELAND'S ENTRANCE JUST LONG ENOUGH TO STOP AT THE GUARDHOUSE FOR
INSTRUCTIONS. THE DRIVER, ULYSSES JONES SPED UP THE DRIVEWAY TO THE FRONT DOOR
THEN HE AND HIS PARTNER CHARLES CROSBY ENTERED THE MANSION AND RAN UP THE BIG
STAIRCASE LEADING TO ELVIS' BEDROOM. THEY PASSED LISA MARIE AND GINGER ON THEIR
WAY TO THE BEDROOM AND WHEN THEY ENTERED THE ROOM THEY WERE SURPRISED AT THE
CROWD OF ABOUT TWELVE THAT WERE STANDING AROUND THE ALMOST UNRECOGNIZABLE BODY
OF ELVIS.
THE MEDIC IMMEDIATELY SHINED A PENLIGHT IN ELVIS' STILLED EYES. THERE
WAS NO FLICKER OF THE PUPIL, THE TELLTALE CONTRACTION THAT SEPERATES LIFE FROM
DEATH. THE FACE WAS BLUISH PURPLE, A MASK OF DEATH AND THERE SEEMED LITTLE
DOUBT OF THE PROGNOSIS AS THEY LOADED THE BODY ON THE STRETCHER WITH HELP FROM
AL AND JOE AND CHARLIE THEY CARRIED IT OUT THE FRONT DOOR TO THE WAITING
AMBULANCE.
DR. NICK SHOWED UP IN HIS GREEN MERCEDES JUST AS THE AMBULANCE WAS
COMING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THE AMBULANCE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND WITHIN SECONDS
DR. NICK HAD JOINED JOE AND CHARLIE IN THE BACK OF THE AMBULANCE. UNIT 6 SPED
OFF TOWARD HIGHWAY 55 AND BAPTIST HOSPITAL, CAREENING THROUGH THE AFTERNOON
TRAFFIC AT 80 MILES AN HOUR. "BREATHE, ELVIS, COME ON, BREATHE FOR ME," DR.
NICK KEPT CALLING, AS HE FRANTICALLY WORKED ON THE BODY THE WHOLE SEVEN MINUTE
RIDE TO BAPTIST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. HE HAD A LOOK OF SHOCK ON HIS FACE, THE
AMBULANCE ATTENDANTS NOTED, ALMOST AS IF HE HAD FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE
THAT ELVIS PRESLEY COULD EVER DIE.
AUGUST 16, 2:55 P.M.
THEY ARRIVED AT THE HOSPITAL AT 2:55 P.M. TWENTY-TWO MINUTES AFTER
THE INITIAL CALL. TRAUMA ROOM NO. 1 HAD BEEN PREPARED, AND A TEAM OF DOCTORS
AND RESUSCITATION EXPERTS WAS STANDING BY, BUT THERE WAS LITTLE TO BE DONE, AND
FINALLY THEY STOPPED BY MUTUAL CONSENT.
AUGUST 16, 3:30 P.M.
BY 3:30 P.M. EVERYONE HAD GATHERED IN TRAUMA ROOM NO. 2 AND WERE
STANDING ABOUT WITH FACES IN SHOCK, SUDDENLY DR. NICK WALKED THROUGH THE DOOR.
"IT'S ALL OVER, HE'S GONE."
Johnny S
In article <20010528203335...@ng-fm1.aol.com>,
LuckyMitzi
<IMG SRC="http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/floyd/597/040972/040972-2.jpg">
We just need to be kind to one another.