Newly Unearthed Letters Lead To Speculation That Elvis Presley Committed Suicide

On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley’s lifeless body was discovered at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. Presley’s shocking death devastated his legions of fans the world over, and the legend of the man known as the ‘King of Rock n Roll’ is still going strong. Beyond the shock amongst his fans, there was a ton of speculation about what really happened. While the official cause of death was listed as a heart attack, it has long been speculated that he succumbed to a drug overdose.

New speculation making the rounds says that it was more than just that. Some newly unearthed letters have fanned the flames that suggest the Presley took his own life in the midst of a wicked bout of depression. It was no secret that he was having a hard time dealing with his extraordinary fame, not to mention the fact that he was no longer at the height of his powers. Add in the fact that he was on the outs with his wife, Priscilla Presley, and it’s pretty easy to see why he was so down in the dumps.

It’s believed that Presley had become addicted to pills to help soothe his pain, and the chatter about the letters indicates that he knowingly took way too many on the day of his death. As the Inquisitr shares, the words that Presley wrote certainly sound like the ramblings of a man that was at the end of his rope.

“I need a long rest. I’m sick and tired of my life,” the letter read. “If it wasn’t for my prayers, I think my life would end. My willpower is almost gone.”

Prior to his own death, Presley’s friend and road manager, Joe Esposito, came clean on the fact that he had found a note next to his lifeless body on the day of his death. He said he got rid of that one - as well as his stash of prescription drugs - in a bid to protect his friend’s legacy.

“It was better to protect his family and his legacy by hiding everything — the note and his pills,” Joe claimed. He also added that Presley had told him that “losing Priscilla was the greatest mistake of his life — and he couldn’t recover from the heartache.” Esposito would go on to explain that Presley said he was “embarrassed I can’t kick drugs” and that he felt “betrayed” by the fact that his body was no longer what it once was.

So is there really anything to say here is this just another round of the endless chatter that has surrounded Presley’s death? That’s tough to say, but we will note that anything associated with Presley is essentially a cottage industry, and any and all speculation and chatter that surfaces only helps add to the interest. That said, Presley’s step-brother, Rick Stanley, thinks there’s something to see here.

“The handwritten note appears to be genuine,” he said. “To me, it’s a clear indication that suicide was on his mind.”

This is one of those situations in which the general public will likely never know the whole truth, but that’s not going to stop Presley’s most fanatical fans from trying to figure it out.

Source: Inquisitr
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, RadarOnline