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!
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)
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.]
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]
H.C.V.D. associated with ASHD
Natural
[blank]
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.
Date
County of Appointment
Signature of County Medical Examiner
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. Hx [history] of playing racketball in early A.M. Family consent signed[?] for autopsy – to be performed at B.M.H. [Baptist Memorial Hospital]
Copies Of the Report
mereport
Here is the same report as images
To clarify, it says “Hx of playing racketball in early A.M.” Hx is the medical abbreviation for “history.” Therefore, Elvis had a “history of playing racketball in early A.M.”
Hi I hope you can clarify something for me, on Elvis decoded it says that ” Dr. Francisco said that “Elvis did not have an impacted colon at the time of his death.” but I can not see that here so where does it say that if not on the coroners report, thanks
I have no idea where that quote from Dr. Francisco comes from, but if the colon was normal in the medical exam after his death, it wouldn’t have been reported there as they only would have reported on anything abnormal, I would assume.
So heartbreaking..Someone on top of the world having so many problems. Money can’t fix everything..If it was today, he probably would havebeen treated correctly and lived. I never had him in my time, wish i did. Rest in peace Elvis, you’re loved and never forgotten