Elvis Presley Was Found Dead in Bathroom of House with 'Secret' Passageway — Photos of Graceland Mansion Now

- What was the secret that Elvis Presley hid in his upstairs sanctuary at Graceland, where he died of a mysterious cause in 1977?
How has his Memphis mansion been preserved as a tribute to his life and legacy?
Here are some of the mysteries and memories of Elvis Presley’s Graceland, where you can still feel the presence and legacy of the King of Rock and Roll.

Elvis Presley strolling the grounds of his Graceland estate circa 1957 | Source: Getty Images

Elvis Presley, widely hailed as the King of Rock and Roll, met a tragic end on August 16, 1977, at his residence in Graceland, located in Memphis, Tennessee. He was found unresponsive in his bathroom, where he had collapsed.

Elvis Presley’s Graceland Mansion circa 1970 | Source: Getty Images

He was only 42 years old. His death shocked the world and left millions of fans heartbroken. But what was the secret that Presley hid in his upstairs sanctuary, where no one but his family and closest friends could enter?

Elvis Presley with his ex-wife Priscilla Beaulieu and infant daughter Lisa Marie Presley in Memphis, Tennessee on February 5, 1968 | Source: Getty Images

To this day, the hidden treasures and personal possessions that Presley kept in his mansion have been preserved exactly as he left them.

We will see some photos of Graceland Mansion today, where you can still feel the presence and legacy of the legendary singer.

Elvis Presley’s living room at Graceland as seen during Elvis Week in Memphis, Tennessee on August 12, 2002 | Source: Getty Images

The enigmatic end of Presley unfolded when Ginger Alden, his girlfriend, found his lifeless body on the bathroom floor of his Graceland home.

He was found with his pajama bottoms around his ankles. Alden shared, “The tip of his tongue was clenched between his teeth, and his face was blotchy.”

The entryway to Graceland, the residence of the deceased Elvis Presley in Memphis, Tennessee, on October 3, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

There still are theories about Presley’s cause of death, with the spotlight on two prominent narratives.

Dan Warlick, who was serving as the chief investigator for the Tennessee Office of the State Chief Medical Examiner, proposed the theory that Presley’s demise occurred during a moment of strain on the toilet.

Photo of Elvis Presley’s aircraft, the “Lisa Marie” | Source: Getty Images

This was attributed to chronic constipation, a condition resulting from years of prescription drug abuse and a diet rich in fat and cholesterol, ultimately leading to what medical experts term Valsalva’s maneuver.

However, a dissenting narrative emerged, suggesting a drug overdose as the culprit. The 1994 reopening of the investigation brought forth coroner Joseph Davis, who challenged the overdose theory.

According to Davis, had it been an overdose, Presley would have slipped into a sedated state, crawling toward the door to seek help.

Dr. Forest Tennant, a distinguished California physician, introduces a compelling theory based on a significant clue: the widespread deterioration of Presley’s organs.

Tennant traces this back to a severe head injury in 1967, when Presley tripped over a television cord, knocking himself unconscious in a bathtub. According to Tennant, the gravity of this injury prompted a progressive autoimmune inflammatory disorder.

The dislodged brain tissue entered the bloodstream, triggering hypogammaglobulinemia—a disorder wreaking havoc on Presley’s immune system.

While the medical understanding of autoimmune conditions was limited in Presley’s time, today, they are recognized as potential catalysts for the array of symptoms he exhibited. He suffered from organ maladies, obesity, chronic pain, and exhibited irrational behavior.

Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland in May 2002 | Source: Getty Images

Garry Rodgers, a retired homicide detective and forensic coroner, suggests that the cause of Presley’s death might be traced back to a heart attack triggered by both heart disease and drug use.

This, he theorizes, could be linked to an autoimmune response sparked by the critical brain injury Presley suffered in 1967.

For almost five decades, the Presley family has guarded the details surrounding Presley’s demise, concealing the autopsy report and igniting public fascination. The sealed autopsy results are slated for release in 2027.

Meanwhile, as the mystery persists, Presley’s memory lives on. Presley’s Memphis mansion, Graceland, his home from 1957 until he took his final bow in 1977, stands as a lasting testament to the life of the King of Rock and Roll.

Maintained by dedicated employees, the mansion, revealed in a 2015 interview to be cleaned three times a week with a deep scrub on Tuesdays, remains in pristine condition, a living tribute to the music icon.

Riley Keough and Lana Del Rey photographed at Graceland during Christmas at Graceland – Season 1 | Source: Getty Images

The hallowed mansion has evolved into a sacred site since his passing and a popular tourist attraction in Memphis, Tennessee, drawing about 600,000 Presley enthusiasts annually.

Elvis Presley’s mansion during Christmas at Graceland – Season 1 | Source: Getty Images

Since opening its doors to the public in 1982, Graceland has hosted several events to celebrate Presley’s life and legacy and entertain his fans from around the world.

Elvis Presley’s mansion during Christmas at Graceland – Season 1 | Source: Getty Images

The Graceland Christmas tour, eclipsed only by Elvis Week in August, becomes a captivating spectacle, immersing fans in the singer’s world.

Elvis Presley’s mansion during Christmas at Graceland – Season 1 | Source: Getty Images

During the period from mid-November to early January, guests have the opportunity to partake in special holiday tours of Graceland Mansion and its surrounding grounds. The entire estate is adorned with a festive display of lights, ornaments, and seasonal decorations.

Elvis Presley’s mansion during Christmas at Graceland – Season 1 | Source: Getty Images

Angie Marchese, the vice president of archives and exhibits at Graceland, fondly reminisces about Presley’s fondness for Christmas, emphasizing its essential role in the mansion’s allure.

Kacey Musgrave posing in Elvis Presley’s mansion during Christmas at Graceland – Season 1 | Source: Getty Images

With over 30 years of experience at Graceland, Marchese details how the staff delved into Presley’s Christmas traditions during the early 1990s.

Lainey Wilson posing in Elvis Presley’s mansion during Christmas at Graceland – Season 1 | Source: Getty Images

Presley had his own traditions, such as changing the drapes to red and throwing tinsel at the tree. Hidden within Graceland lies a downstairs storage haven next to the TV room.

Elvis Presley’s mansion during Christmas at Graceland – Season 1 | Source: Getty Images

Behind the unassuming blue door resides Presley’s record collection and Christmas decorations, patiently awaiting the festive season.

Elvis Presley’s storage room entrance in his Graceland mansion from a video dated February 9, 2016 | Source: youtube.com/@VisitGraceland

Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion decorated for Christmas from a video dated February 9, 2016 | Source: youtube.com/@VisitGraceland

Elvis Presley’s storage room in his Graceland mansion from a video dated February 9, 2016 | Source: youtube.com/@VisitGraceland

In upholding his cherished Christmas traditions, Graceland maintains blue drapes on the main floor year-round, transitioning to vibrant red during the festive holiday season.

Original drapes, found in excellent condition, are rehung annually, providing a tangible connection to Presley’s residency.

As per the singer’s desires, Graceland undergoes a magical transformation into a winter wonderland around Thanksgiving, resonating with the joyful spirit of the holiday season.

However, Graceland also holds some secrets closed to the public, such as the hidden staircase and the upstairs rooms where Presley spent his final moments.

There is also a “secret” stairway used by Presley to move discreetly between the mansion’s upstairs and downstairs levels. Closed off to visitors, this hidden passage adds more intrigue to the Graceland experience.

Elvis Presley’s secret staircase in his Graceland Mansion from a video dated October 14, 2015 | Source: youtube.com/@VisitGraceland

Elvis Presley’s secret staircase in his Graceland Mansion from a video dated March 22, 2023 | Source: youtube.com/@officialfuninthesouth

A chandelier hanging over the landing on Elvis Presley’s secret staircase in his Graceland Mansion from a video dated October 14, 2015 | Source: youtube.com/@VisitGraceland

Presley’s parents’ bathroom is adorned in light pink, lilac, and purple. It features a unique wallpaper design—a poodle playing with a ball.

Elvis Presley’s parents’ bathroom in his Graceland Mansion from a video dated March 22, 2023 | Source: youtube.com/@officialfuninthesouth

Inside the bedroom, a king-size bed boasts a purple velvet headboard and bedspread, complemented by gold-fringed purple velvet drapes and white sheers.