Elvis Presley’s Stepbrother Claims The King’s Overdose Was Intentional
It’s been nearly 40 years since Elvis Presley was found dead in his home of an accidental drug overdose, but a new book alleges the late star's death was intentional.
Presley's stepbrother David E. Stanley wrote a tell-all, titled My Brother Elvis: The Final Years, which explores Presley's battle with addiction, according to AOL.
Stanley -- who moved into Presley's Memphis home Graceland when he was four years old after his mother married Presley’s father, Vernon -- goes on to detail the last time he saw Presley, on August 14, 1977. He claims that Presley told him he was leaving for a few days but the next time the pair saw each other, he’d be “on a higher plane.” Elvis died two days later, leading Stanley to believe he had “done this on purpose.”
“I felt it was my responsibility to write a book about these realities of Elvis beyond the glitz, glamour and fun,” Stanley said. "He was human, and his very human frailties and vulnerabilities cost him his life. If addiction could happen to Elvis, it can happen to anyone.”
Elvis’s death has been shrouded in mystery since he was found dead in his home on August 16, 1977. While his death was initially reported to be the result of a heart attack, a toxicology report from the time states there were 14 drugs found in his system, indicating a drug overdose. Stanley claims he found pills and syringes scattered around Elvis’s body and claims he cleaned up the scene before police arrived.
My Brother Elvis: The Final Years hits shelves on August 16.