The Shocking Truth Behind The Two Most Controversial Photos Of Elvis Presley's Death

Few events in rock and roll history are as shrouded in morbid curiosity as the death of Elvis Presley. On this day, December 12, 2025, over four decades later, the two most sensitive photographs associated with The King's passing—the final image of him alive and the infamous, ghoulish coffin shot—continue to ignite intense debate, morbid fascination, and a deep sense of betrayal among fans and historians.

The story of these images is a tale of a global media frenzy, a family's deep-seated betrayal, and the moment a notorious tabloid cemented its reputation by violating the final privacy of a global icon. The sheer audacity and the staggering price paid for the "Elvis in the Box" photo remain a legendary, yet deeply unsettling, chapter in celebrity journalism.

The Last Known Photo of Elvis Alive: August 16, 1977

The final hours of the King of Rock 'n' Roll are documented by a photograph that is far less sensational, yet profoundly poignant. This image captures a moment of final, fleeting normalcy before the tragedy that would shock the world.

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The Midnight Drive Home to Graceland

The last known photograph of Elvis Presley was taken shortly after midnight on August 16, 1977, just hours before his body was discovered. The photo shows Elvis returning to his beloved home, Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee.

• Time: Approximately 12:28 AM, August 16, 1977.
• Location: The gates of Graceland.
• Vehicle: His iconic Stutz Blackhawk.
• Passenger: His girlfriend, Ginger Alden, was in the car with him.
• Context: Elvis was returning from a late-night dental appointment with Dr. Lester Hoffman.

The photo itself is grainy and taken at a distance by a fan. It depicts a tired, heavy-set Elvis behind the wheel, a stark contrast to the youthful, vibrant performer who had defined a generation. It serves as a quiet, somber prelude to the day's devastating news.

Later that morning, at approximately 2:30 PM, Ginger Alden would find the 42-year-old star unresponsive in his bathroom. He was officially pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital at 3:30 PM.

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The Infamous "Elvis in the Box" Coffin Photo Controversy

While the last photo alive is sad, the photograph taken after his death—the one showing him in his open casket—is one of the most controversial and highly-priced celebrity images ever published. It became the defining scandal of his funeral.

The Tabloid’s Operation: Generoso Pope Jr.’s Master Plan

The funeral for Elvis Presley was an open-casket viewing held at Graceland, allowing thousands of grieving fans to pay their respects. Security was tight, but the lure of a photo of the deceased King proved too great for the sensationalist media. The *National Enquirer*, under the leadership of founder and editor Generoso Pope Jr., saw this as their chance for a historic scoop.

The *Enquirer* reportedly set aside a massive budget—some sources suggest up to $100,000—to "buy up" accounts from relatives, paramedics, and members of the Memphis Mafia. Their ultimate goal, however, was a visual confirmation of death.

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The Betrayal: How the Photo Was Snuck Out of Graceland

The successful acquisition of the photo is a story of family betrayal. The *National Enquirer* secured the image from a distant cousin of Elvis, often identified as Bobby Mann or Billy Mann.

• The Bribe: The cousin was allegedly paid a staggering $18,000 to sneak a camera into the viewing.
• The Camera: A tiny Minox camera, easily concealed, was used to covertly take the photograph of Elvis lying in the coffin.
• The Result: The resulting image was a close-up of Elvis's body in the casket, which the *Enquirer* famously headlined "The Last Picture," and which became known colloquially as "Elvis in the Box."

The issue of the *National Enquirer* featuring the photo, published on September 6, 1977, was a monumental success, selling an unprecedented 6.5 million copies. This single photograph cemented the *Enquirer*'s reputation for breaking sensational celebrity news, regardless of the ethical cost.

The Authenticity and Aftermath of the Coffin Shot

Despite the photo's widespread distribution, debate over its authenticity has persisted for decades. The appearance of Elvis's body—swollen and heavily made up—led some to believe it was a fake or a composite image. However, the overwhelming consensus among those involved, including former *Enquirer* editor Iain Calder, is that the photo is real.

The Appearance and Post-Mortem Details

The photograph captured the post-mortem reality of a man who died suddenly and whose body had been laid in state for public viewing. The appearance of the body was heavily influenced by several factors:

• Rigor Mortis: Elvis was found flat on his face in the bathroom, and rigor mortis had already set in, complicating the preparation of the body.
• Embalming: The local Memphis mortician had to work extensively to prepare the body for the open-casket viewing, which contributed to the unnatural, swollen look seen in the photo.
• Cause of Death: The preliminary autopsy findings indicated the cause of death was cardiac arrhythmia, exacerbated by a cocktail of prescription drugs, leading to his body's poor state.

The gold-plated copper casket itself, which weighed 900 pounds, also became a point of macabre fascination, further fueling the legend of the King's death. The controversy surrounding the photo led to a permanent shift in how celebrity funerals were handled, with families becoming far more private and protective of the deceased's image.

The Legacy of the Photos Today (2025)

In the current media landscape of 2025, where leaked photos and viral content are commonplace, the story of the Elvis coffin photo remains a benchmark for journalistic sensationalism. It is a constant reminder of the price of fame and the lengths to which the media will go for an exclusive. The image is rarely republished today due to its ghoulish nature and respect for the Presley estate, yet its existence is a foundational piece of the Elvis mythology.

Discussions online often revisit the topic, with recent YouTube documentaries and fan forums speculating on the body's condition, the identity of the cousin, and the ethics of the *National Enquirer*'s actions. These two photographs—the last one alive and the one in the casket—bookend the final, tragic chapter of Elvis Presley's life, forever preserving the transition from a living legend to a controversial icon of rock history.