Elvis Presley Faked His Death Conspiracies

Elvis Presley, also known as the King of Rock and Roll, passed away on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42. However, despite overwhelming evidence supporting his death, there are still those who believe that the singer did not die, but faked his own death instead.

Official Cause of Death

According to the official medical report, Elvis Presley died of a heart attack, specifically due to an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia. His autopsy report also revealed that the singer had several health issues, such as borderline glaucoma, high blood pressure, and a history of drug abuse, which likely played a role in his untimely death.

Death Certificate

Moreover, the state of Tennessee issued a death certificate for Elvis, which is a legal document certifying his death.

Finally, Elvis Presley’s funeral was a public event, attended by thousands of fans and family members. His body was displayed in an open casket, allowing people to pay their final respects to the legendary musician.

Belief in the Conspiracies

Despite the overwhelming evidence confirming Elvis Presley’s death, several conspiracy theories suggest that the singer faked his own death to escape the pressures of fame or to avoid some perceived danger. These theories are based on a range of inconsistencies, false information, or simply our natural inclination to believe in something that seems too good to be true.

Inconsistencies in the Autopsy Report

One of the main arguments put forth by those who believe in the conspiracy theories is that the autopsy report is inconsistent or unclear. They suggest that the report did not reveal any substantial damage to Elvis’s heart, which should have been the case if he died of a heart attack.

However, this argument is based on a misunderstanding of the medical terminology used in the report and a lack of knowledge about how heart disease works. The autopsy report clearly identified several signs of heart disease in Elvis’s body, such as an enlarged heart and clogged arteries, which could easily lead to an irregular heartbeat or a heart attack.

Witnesses Seeing Elvis After His Death

Another argument often put forward by conspiracy theorists is that several supposed sightings of Elvis Presley were reported after his death. Some people claim to have seen him in public places, while others believe that they have heard his voice on TV or the radio.

However, these sightings are purely anecdotal, and there is no concrete evidence to support them. Moreover, Elvis Presley was such a recognizable figure that it is unlikely that he could have gone unnoticed for so long, especially considering that he would be in his 80s today.

Lack of Critical Thinking

The problem with conspiracy theories is that they rely on a lack of critical thinking and a predisposition to believe in something without evidence. By believing in conspiracies, people not only ignore the facts and evidence, but they also open themselves up to manipulation and misinformation.

Conspiracies Harm Real People

Furthermore, the danger of believing in conspiracies is that they can have real-world consequences. In many cases, conspiracy theories can harm real people, such as the families of victims of mass shootings or the scientists who study the climate.

For example, a recent study by H. Bullock and K. Gerber (2018) found that people who believe in conspiracy theories are less likely to get vaccinated against the flu, leading to an increased risk of catching and spreading the virus.

Conclusion

While Elvis Presley will always be remembered as one of the greatest musicians of all time, the conspiracy theories surrounding his death are not founded in reality. The overwhelming evidence, including the official cause of death, the death certificate, and the public funeral, all confirm that the King of Rock and Roll did indeed pass away in 1977.

Believing in these conspiracies not only ignores the facts and evidence but can also have serious consequences. By failing to engage in critical thinking and accepting baseless claims over scientific evidence, we open ourselves up to manipulation and misinformation.

Sources

– Bullock, Heather E. and Gerber, Alan S. (2018). The Effect of Conspiracy Theories on Vaccination Intentions. PLoS ONE.
– Census Bureau. (2021). Analysis of death certificate data for selected occupations, 1999-2018.