Medical Examiner’s Report on the Death of Elvis (1977)

Below is a transcription of the Medical Examiner’s Report as well as a PDF copy of the report, which was carried out on Elvis after his death. This 2-page report was signed and submitted by the Shelby County Medical Examiner, Dr. Jerry Francisco (who also signed the death certificate of Martin Luther King, Jr.).

The cause of death noted on this report was “H.C.V.D. associated with ASHD” which refers to “Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease associated with Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease.”

Note, as clarified on the Elvis Decoded blog, this report is NOT the official autopsy report, which is the private property of the Presley family. Also, this is not the official death certificate, which, under Tennessee law will be kept private for 50 years after Elvis’ death and will therefore be made public in 2027.

It’s also interesting to note that the report wasn’t signed until October 1977. The date appears to be 10/20/77, over 2 months after Elvis’ death!

Acknowledgment: Thanks to The Death of Elvis: What Really Happened by Charles C. Thompson and James P. Cole for some of the transcriptions!

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Related Cases & Articles

• State ex rel. Cole v. Francisco (1982)
• Board of County Commissioners of Shelby County v. Taylor (1994)
• Despite detractors, ex-medical examiner defends Elvis conclusions by Michael Lollar of the Commercial Appeal (Aug. 10, 2008)
• Understanding the Death of Elvis by Patrick Lacy (Elvis Decoded) presspassblog.com (Nov. 20, 2013)

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Transcription of the Report

Case No. 77-1944

OFFICE OF THE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER
858 Madison Avenue
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 38103

REPORT OF INVESTIGATION BY COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER

Decedent: Elvis Aron Presley  Race: W  Sex: M  Age: 42

Home Address: 3764 Elvis Presley Blvd  M W S D: [blank]  Occupation: Entertainer

Type of Death (Check one only): Found Dead

Notification by: City Homicide  Address: City[?]

Investigating Agency: SCME & MPD [Shelby County Medical Examiner & Memphis Police Dept.]

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Description of Body: Unclothed  Circumcised: No

Eyes: Bl  Hair: Bl  Mustache: 0  Beard: 0

Weight: [blank]  Length: [blank]  Body Temp: [blank]  Date and Time: [blank]

Rigor: Yes  Liver Color: J [?] Fixed

Marks and Wounds: Congestion to face & upper torso

[Note] Autopsy at BMH

[Notations on body diagrams]: Pale Pressure Mark [by left eye]  Sutured Thorocatomy [left side of ribs/chest]

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I hereby declare that after receiving notice of the death described herein I took charge of the body and made Inquiries regarding the cause of death in accordance with Section 38-701-714 Tennessee Code Annotated; and that the information contained herein regarding such death is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

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Transcription: Page 2

Personal History: [blank]

Conduct Before Death: [blank]

	Last Seen Alive	Injury or Illness	Death	Discovery	Medical Examiner Notified	View of Body	Police Notified
Date	8-16-77		8-16-77	8-16-77	8-16-77	8-16-77	8-16-77
Time	08:00		Pa? 15 30	1400	1600	1730	1530

	Location	City or County	Type of Premises (Hospital, Hotel, Highway, Etc.)
Injury or Onset of Illness	Home
Death	DoA BMH.	Resusc attempted
Viewing of Body by Medical Examiner	BMH

MEDICAL ATTENTION AND HOSPITAL OR INSTITUTIONAL CARE

Name of Physician or Institution	Address	Diagnosis	Date
G Nichopoulos	Memphis[?]	HCUD / Colon Problem[?]

CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH

	Name	Address
Found Dead By	(1)Ginger Alden	Same
Last Seen Alive By	“	“
Witness to Injury or Illness and Death	None

NARRATIVE SUMMARY OF CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING DEATH:

Found on floor of dressing room by above⁽¹⁾ [Ginger Alden] who had been sleeping in adjoining room. No indication of foul play. Had been ok in early AM. He [?] playing racketball in early A.M. Family consent[?] signed[?] for autopsy – to be performed at B.M.H. [Baptist Memorial Hospital]

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Copies Of the Report

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mereport

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Here is the same report as images

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