Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock and Roll,” died on August 16, 1977, at just 42 years old, shocking the world. The official cause was a heart attack—but behind the scenes, the truth was far more tragic.

Struggling with insomnia and a dangerous dependency on prescription drugs, Elvis’s health had been quietly deteriorating for years. On his final day, he played music and racquetball, appearing briefly like his old self. But that night, he collapsed in his bathroom, a book still in hand.

His autopsy revealed a body ravaged by decades of prescription drug abuse: an enlarged heart, a diseased liver, and a colon impacted by chronic constipation. Toxicology showed deadly levels of codeine, Valium, Demerol, and more.

To protect his legacy, much of the autopsy was sealed—until 2027.

Elvis’s death wasn’t just sudden—it was the result of years of suffering hidden behind fame. His legacy remains, but so do the haunting truths.