Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977 — in one of the most hotly-debated deaths in rock ‘n roll history! The NationaL ENQUIRER has unearthed the troubling charges of The King committing suicide, and exposed the deadly toll that drugs took on Elvis’ body at only 42 years old. But even as the world mourned the loss of Elvis, The ENQUIRER worked with family members to provide his fans with one last look at their idol!
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On September 6, 1977, The National ENQUIRER hit newsstands with a majestic shot of Elvis in his coffin — resplendent in a white suit, blue shirt, and silver silk tie! The extraordinary photo made history by selling over 6.7 million copies.
Photo credit: National ENQUIRER
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The star's final farewell — as later confirmed by Elvis' cousin Billy Smith — was made possible by Presley relative Billy Mann. He took the photo while Elvis laid at rest in a copper coffin in
the music room at Graceland. The ENQUIRER also spoke to insiders who hinted at the later claims by Elvis' stepbrothers that The King committed suicide!
Photo credit: Getty Images
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"Elvis Presley knew he was going to die," declared famed TV minister Rev. Rex Humbard, who hosted the "Cathedral of Tomorrow" television. The minister had last visited Elvis in December 1976.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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He recalled: "Elvis seemed to sense that his life was coming to an end. As we talked, he sobbed openly. He seemed desperate to make a last peace with God. He kept saying, 'Time is short.'"
Photo credit: National ENQUIRER
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"He said he thought he would die at the same age his mother died — 42," confided Elvis' close friend J.D. Sumner, who provided backing music for Elvis as part of The Stamps Quartet. Elvis had also told New York City disc jockey Murray the K: "I don't think I'll live any longer than my mother did."
Photo credit: Getty Images
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Sadly, the legendary original photo of Elvis laid to rest was lost when
The National ENQUIRER offices were hit by a terrorist attack in 2001. The aftermath of
a deadly anthrax mailing — which cost the life of photojournalist Robert Stevens — also required the destruction of the original Elvis photo. Experts estimated the photograph's value at $1,000,000.
Photo credit: Getty Images
On September 6, 1977, The National ENQUIRER hit newsstands with a majestic shot of Elvis in his coffin — resplendent in a white suit, blue shirt, and silver silk tie! The extraordinary photo made history by selling over 6.7 million copies.
Photo credit: National ENQUIRER
The star's final farewell — as later confirmed by Elvis' cousin Billy Smith — was made possible by Presley relative Billy Mann. He took the photo while Elvis laid at rest in a copper coffin in
the music room at Graceland. The ENQUIRER also spoke to insiders who hinted at the later claims by Elvis' stepbrothers that The King committed suicide!
Photo credit: Getty Images
"Elvis Presley knew he was going to die," declared famed TV minister Rev. Rex Humbard, who hosted the "Cathedral of Tomorrow" television. The minister had last visited Elvis in December 1976.
Photo credit: Getty Images
He recalled: "Elvis seemed to sense that his life was coming to an end. As we talked, he sobbed openly. He seemed desperate to make a last peace with God. He kept saying, 'Time is short.'"
Photo credit: National ENQUIRER
"He said he thought he would die at the same age his mother died — 42," confided Elvis' close friend J.D. Sumner, who provided backing music for Elvis as part of The Stamps Quartet. Elvis had also told New York City disc jockey Murray the K: "I don't think I'll live any longer than my mother did."
Photo credit: Getty Images
Sadly, the legendary original photo of Elvis laid to rest was lost when
The National ENQUIRER offices were hit by a terrorist attack in 2001. The aftermath of
a deadly anthrax mailing — which cost the life of photojournalist Robert Stevens — also required the destruction of the original Elvis photo. Experts estimated the photograph's value at $1,000,000.
Photo credit: Getty Images