Did Elvis really die in August 1977?

EIN:

• provides a brief timeline history of the "is Elvis alive?" phenomenon
• (in conjunction with private investigation consultants, JNA & Associates)
  probes the Bill Beeny DNA claims and identifies its fatal flaw
• explores Dr Beeny's interesting background
• looks at the "is Elvis alive" library
• identifies websites of interest, and
• throws in 14 sensational "is Elvis alive?" diversions along the way

This article was prepared by Nigel Patterson, with the assistance of JNA & Associates, Investigative Consultants

Read EIN's article on the Geraldo Rivera "20/20" specials about Elvis' death

Quote:

"And unless you understand that Elvis Presley was more than anything a spiritual leader of our generation, there's really no way to assess his importance, much less the meaning of his music"

Dave Marsh, rock critic for Rolling Stone magazine, in his obituary "How Great Thou Art"

Jimmy "Orion" Ellis "sans" mask

It has always been EIN's position that Elvis Aaron Presley did die on August 16, 1977. We have long argued that most of the so-called evidence supporting the contrary argument can be quite easily dismissed or adequately explained. The spelling of Aaron/Aron, "alleged" photos of Elvis post August 1977, issues with the death certificate etc, all have prosaic explanations.

In True Disbelievers: The Elvis Contagion, Professors Denisoff & Plasketes provided a well researched and cogent alternative to the "is Elvis alive?" arguments, their case embedded with "facts", an element sorely missing from the rhetorical accounts of the false prophets peddling a clever story which appealed to deeply rooted psychological needs within the "believers". As pointed out by Denisoff & Plasketes the belief that Elvis is alive mirrors similar views throughout history, particularly those based around extreme religious beliefs.

A prominent example are Henry Miller's "Millerites" of New England, who fervently believed in the literal fulfillment of biblical prophecy, including the end of the world, and that the second coming of Christ would occur in 1843. When the expected events did not occur, bewilderment gave way to rationalisation and a renewed, stronger belief and commitment to what believers saw as the "truth".

The "is Elvis alive?" movement evolved in a similar way to the "Millerites". Starting out as a localised or small pocket movement, a slowly building proselytizing activity evolved with an increasing number of "educative" publications being distributed, and a growing number of media outlets taking an interest in the conspiratorial subject matter. And when Elvis did not "come out", as announced so many times since the 1980s, the "believers", initially Sunday-punched, internally and externally rationalised the reasons why Elvis could not, at each time, reveal himself, and then continued their cause with their faith and vigour often stronger than before. More recently, the Dr Donald Hinton debacle ended with Hinton publicly apologising after he realised he had been misled, and the money he thought he was receiving to help a "sick Elvis" was actually a cleverly designed scam by persons unknown (see Diversion #8 below).

Only two pieces of information are not so easily explained, at least on the surface. These are the:

In his book, Elvis' DNA Proves He's Alive, former Baptist minister, Bill Beeny, claims he has not only viewed a copy of the full Elvis autposy report, but also accessed, and had tested, tissue samples allegedly taken from Elvis' body in the mid 1970s and his autopsy in August 1977. So who is Bill Beeny and what are the credentials behind the DNA samples he obtained? EIN has dug deep to provide background and questions regarding these two questions. As part of our examination and analysis of the Beeny claims we sought the assistance of private investigation consultants, JNA & Associates. Beeny's incredible story involves him being invited to the home of a prominent Memphis doctor who had in his possession the aforementioned items. The doctor had heard one of Beeny's many media interviews on Rock 102 radio station in Memphis about the 'Is Elvis Alive?' theme and contacted Beeny's son, Andrew, following the interview. Andrew is apparently a prominent lawyer in St. Louis. The Memphis doctor had obtained the autopsy report and tissue samples from Dr Harold Sexton, one of the pathologists involved in the autopsy of Elvis.

Apparently, Dr Sexton was fearful of all the media and public suspicions about a cover-up and wild rumours following Elvis' "alleged' death, that he made a copy of the report and other documents relating to Elvis' "alleged" death to protect himself.

Beeny states (p.13): "The cries of "cover-up" dominated headlines."

And not only did the mystery doctor have the full autopsy report, but he also had samples of Elvis' DNA from his two liver biopsies and autopsy!!! Beeny (p.14) says the doctor had "...actual body tissue of Elvis".

Beeny also states that the Presley family requested an autopsy as if the authorities had initiated it it would have had to be made public. This is a true statement in that family initiated autopsies cannot be made public without the consent of the family.

In the absence of being able to examine and have retested the tissue samples obtained by Dr Beeny, it is not possible to directly substantiate the findings in his book. Despite this, EIN has examined its contents and found a fatal flaw in its case.

The major issues Beeny offers about the full autopsy report is that, like the death certificate, it states Elvis' weight was 170lbs and the autopsy apparently revealed a long scar, running perpindicular on the chest. The scar had been healed for some time. Elvis obviously weighed more than 170lbs at the time of his death and there was no record of an operation which would account for the scar.

Accordingly, Beeny suggests (p.14) that these two issues imply "...this cadaver could not possibly be Elvis."

EIN Response: Assuming Beeny did read an autopsy report purporting to be Elvis', could it have been a clever fake? This of course begs the question...why would a prominent Memphis doctor be involved with a bogus autopsy report? There are a number of possible answers, from the doctor himself believing the report to be bona fide, to an attempt to obtain financial gain (although this is not a matter suggested in Dr Beeny's book).

Beeny claims the Memphis doctor had biopsy test specimens relating to liver biopsies Elvis had done on 15 October 1973 and 28 January 1975. These were tested (compared) by Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp) against body tissue from the August 1977 autopsy.

Had the tissue samples from the two liver biopsies matched with the tissue sample from the autopsy this would have indicated Elvis was indeed dead. However, Lab Corp found the samples did not match. To Dr Beeny this means only one thing: that Elvis is alive!

Beeny's argument is centered around Baptist Memorial Hospital records confirming the liver biopsies are Elvis'. Proving that the samples tested were indeed taken from the body of Elvis Aaron Presley is only one obstacle Dr Beeny needs to prove.

EIN Response: Of course, the non-matching samples could have other explanations but these aren't canvassed by Dr Beeny. For instance, there could have been a mix-up with the samples or they could have been bogus.

Also, assuming there was a cover-up/conspiracy involving a donor body, wouldn't those behind the cover-up ensure there was no cross-evidence? If they went to great lengths to substitute a body in the casket, wouldn't they also ensure the "right" (ie. Elvis' DNA) was contained in the medical records?

Dr Beeny's claim, is by itself insufficient, as it fails to satisfy the crucial "chain of custody" principle as the records and biopsies were obtained from a third party, the unnamed Memphis doctor.

The chain of custody (rules of evidence) principle

In a court of law Dr Beeny would need to prove the samples were indeed from Elvis' body and satisfy the "chain of custody" principle:

There are strict rules at law regarding the "chain of custody" for evidence (eg. DNA samples). It requires that there is a register recording all entries of movement, and to whom, in a chronological order.

On this basis alone questions must be asked about the authenticity/validity of the Beeny samples:

Where were they over the years?

How were they secured?

Who had (access to) them?

What did they do with them?

Are we talking about the same item (ie. Elvis' sample/s)?

These questions open up a Pandora's Box of arguments undermining Beeny's claim about the validity of the DNA samples. Because the "Beeny" samples were outside a carefully controlled "chain of custody" environment for two decades, any number of people could have tampered with or substituted the samples over the years!

In court you must be able to "prove a continuing chain of custody and control" for the evidence.

The slightest hint of "third party" tampering or opportunity for tampering with the evidence, and your case is scuttled. This of course doesn't mean the samples aren't genuine...but once the "chain of custody" is breached, definitive proof is not possible.

The "chain of custody" principle begs an important question: why didn't Bill Beeny's son, Andrew, a noted St. Louis attorney who would be very familiar with the importance of the principle, draw it to his father's attention?

Realistically, what do we make of Bill Beeny's story? There are a number of fundamental questions at the heart of his case which need to be asked and satisfactorily answered:

Q: Did the Presley family request the autopsy?

EIN's response: This claim is true; Vernon Presley signed an autopsy permission form. However, it was not signed immediately after Elvis' death as Beeny claims (p.13), rather it was signed after Dr Nick had spoken to Vernon about it.

In the context of his conspiracy driven narrative, Beeny's use (p.13) of the words:

Q: How valid is Beeny's claim that if the autopsy is initiated by the medical authorities the report must be made public and in reverse it can be sealed for 50 years if sought by the deceased's family?

EIN's Response: Following an internet and library search EIN was unable to fully establish the rules governing release and protection of autopsy reports in Shelby County. However, we did find evidence supporting Beeny's claim (Guralnick, p.649).

Our research also found that in a number of cases involving an autopsy, the state had refused to provide autopsy details including in the case Ronald Patrick Swiney v. State (1993-1999: death of Betty Snow). What this indicates is that the state does not always move to make autopsy results public. Beeny's release of autopsy claim is not materially affected by this finding.

Q: Would a copy of the autopsy report have helped or protected Dr Sexton, as is claimed?

EIN's response: This is a difficult question to answer. Without knowing exactly what Dr Sexton was fearful of, if he in fact actually was, it is hard to judge Beeny's claim. On the surface there doesn't appear to be a tangible argument to support the claim, particularly considering any conspiracy idea was several years away from media prominence.

Q: Bill Beeny has read the full autopsy report?

EIN's response: We only have his word for it.

Q: Who is the mystery Memphis doctor who allegedly has a copy of the full Elvis autopsy report and tissue samples?

EIN's response: Only the Beeny's know.

Q: Is it feasible Dr Sexton was able to take and retain part of Elvis' DNA (tissue samples) from both of his liver biopsies and autopsy?

EIN Response: While it is plausible Dr Sexton could have made a copy of the autopsy report, it stretches credibility that he could have taken and kept samples from Elvis' two liver biopsies and autopsy without their absence being noticed. DNA samples are subject to very strict storage and control arrangements, extending to the amount of sample used. (see Bill Beeny reponse to EIN article dated 11 May 2006 below)

Q: Were there widespread claims of a cover-up about Elvis' death in 1977 (as indicated by Dr Sexton's concerns)?

EIN's response: Actually NO, the Is Elvis Alive? theory only took off in 1979 following the Geraldo Rivera TV investigation, "The Elvis Cover-Up", and the publication of Gail Brewer-Giorgio's novel, "Orion". Certainly, from August 1977 there were small pockets of interest in the idea Elvis was still alive, but there were no screaming headlines saying "cover up" until years later. The conspiracy theory had its heyday in the 1980s with the raft of Elvis sightings from Kalamazoo in the US to Newcastle in Australia.

But in 1977 EIN is not aware of any major headlines crying "cover-up".

Q: The tested tissue samples are all from from the body of Elvis Aaron Presley?

EIN's response: Beeny's claim that all three samples are from Elvis is insufficient. Given the lack of 'chain of custody', one or more of the samples may not have been from Elvis' body.

So is Bill Beeny's book a clever scam, or does it actually contain evidence supporting the idea that Elvis did not die at Graceland on August 16, 1977?

The bottom line: In the absence of physically being able to substantiate the validity of the tissue samples it is not possible to discredit the Lab Corp test results.

However, there are flaws in the Beeny argument as outlined above, and crucially, his DNA evidence will not stand up in a court of law as a secure "chain of custody" has been broken.

The reality is that Dr Beeny's case totally unravels on this one, crucial point! It is its fatal flaw!

This now leaves only one material issue in the "is Elvis alive" conspiracy argument...the alleged unclaimed insurance policy. The organisation best placed to clarify this issue is of course EPE.

Why EPE does not answer questions on, or clarify this issue, is anyone's guess.

Born on September 1, 1926 in Madisonville, Kentucky, Bill Beeny was a Baptist minister and self-declared segregationist who led right-wing organizations in St. Louis, Missouri during the 1960s. Beeny, whose father died when he was nine years old, was one of five children. During his late teens and early twenties, he worked as a tavern porter and manager in Eldorado, Illinois, the hometown of the woman he married at age eighteen. Beeny battled recurrent tuberculosis as a young man; during one painful recuperation, as he later explained, he "got disgusted with my life and was converted to the Christian faith." He was ordained by the Southern Baptist Convention in 1947, and during the 1950s he attended Shurtleff College in Alton, Illinois and the American Divinity School in Chicago, Illinois. Over the course of the following decade, Beeny was active in domestic anti-communist campaigns and led local and national efforts directed against civil-rights and student-movement leaders. Opposite - Bill Beeny

In 1961, Beeny picketed Washington University, urging the House Committee on Un-American Activities to investigate his allegations of communist “infiltration” among university faculty -- especially those who had signed a nuclear-test-ban petition organized by California chemist and Nobel laureate Linus Pauling. He also participated in national petition drives urging the Committee to investigate the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Black Panthers.

Beeny's political and religious radio broadcasts, which began with one station in Alton, Illinois, were eventually heard on dozens of stations across the country. At the same time, the minister operated an "anti-communist" youth ranch in Wright City, Missouri; the ranch, according to Beeny's claim, drew upwards of1,500 campers per summer during the early 1960s. Beeny faced constant legal problems over questionable financial and licensing practices in running his Missouri Youth Ranch and his Denver-area radio station "The Voice of Reason."

In 1960, accusations and lawsuits over an allegedly fraudulent bond issue to finance his ranch and broadcasting operations forced Beeny from his position as pastor of the New Testament Baptist Church, which he had founded in a St. Louis storefront five years earlier. After his resignation, Beeny took up the pastorship of the St. Louis Baptist Temple, a position he would hold until 1969.

In the 1966, Beeny formed the Counter-Revolutionary Organization on Salvation and Service (CROSS), with chapters in Miami, Florida and St. Louis. Working out of Beeny's Baptist church at 4249 Gibson Avenue, CROSS's St. Louis chapter organized several controversial "home-defense" seminars. The meetings wereintended to instruct members in fire-arms and survivalist tactics in order to fend off what Beeny called "those so-called civil-rights groups now reported to be stocking weapons" in preparation for a revolutionary uprising.

Running for Missouri Lieutenant-Governor as a Democrat in 1968 -- one of his many unsuccessful bids for state and local office -- Beeny endorsed the presidential campaign of segregationist Alabama Governor George C. Wallace. Beeny's own campaign platform, as outlined in his newsletter "The Herald of Missouri," urged "states' rights," opposed open-housing legislation and bussing for school integration, and advocated a "tough-on-crime" policy that would include ordering police to "shoot to kill" in response to civil disorders.

The minister relocated to Wright City, Missouri in 1969 after a fire at his St. Louis church. There, he operated a general store and more recently has sought to popularize his theory that the American singer Elvis Presley,who is generally believed to have died in 1977, is still living. Beeny founded the Elvis is Alive Museum in his Wright City store space, and, in 2005, he published his book Elvis' DNA Proves He's Alive (Boston: Branden Books, 2005), ISBN: 0828320896. His other Elvis related works include a booklet suggesting there is a "second" Lisa Marie Presley.

Beeny maintains a website dedicated to Presley and to his own museum at Elvis is Alive

Beeny has also resumed broadcasts of pre-recorded religious, political and Elvis Presley content, this time via the internet at Mighty Stream Radio

Beeny is married to Laura, and has two children, Billy and Kayla. Interestingly, his book, Elvis' DNA Proves He's Alive, refers to his son being Andrew Beeny.

In mid April 2006 Dr Beeny distributed his latest newsletter by email. It included news of his latest tape: 'War of the Worlds' which tells of the Atomic Clock...: Image from Bill Beeny's April 2006 newsletter:

Websites of Interest:

.

Due out around July-August 2006 is:

Elvis Decoded - A Fan's Guide to Deciphering the Myths and Misinformation, Patrick Lacy

Interestingly, publication of two other books due out in mid 2006 about the is Elvis alive? theme has slipped to 2007. The books are:

The Presley Alternative, Phil Aitcheson & Deborah Wines (dec.) - the Presley Commission case

Shadows of Reason: On the Elusive Trail of a Lost King - Elvis Presley, Post August 16, 1977, Dr. John Walker/Center for Studies in Popular Culture - academic examination of the case for and against

Mary Smiley is also reportedly writing her account of the issue (title and publication date unknown)

Diversion #1: Cover-up at Graceland

From all accounts it appears members of the Memphis Mafia present at Graceland when Elvis died conducted a "clean up" of his bedroom and bathroom. Medications were removed and the spot where a dieing Elvis had vomited on the deep shag carpet was cleaned before county officials arrived to inspect the death scene. In terms of hindering an effective analysis of the cause of Elvis' death these were two significant issues. Two tell-tale empty syringes were inadvertently left in Elvis' upstairs den/office.

It is reported that Dan Warlick, investigator for the Shelby County Medical Examiner's Office was less than impressed by the total absence of drugs of any kind, including normal household analgesics. Together with the two empty syringes, these matters fuelled Warlick's natural suspicions. He was also suspicious of the sparkling bathroom and its sanitized smell. See Cole & Thompson for a more detailed account of these issues.

Diversion #2: The "Second" Orion issue

In his book, Beeny devotes a section to the Jimmy Ellis/Orion issue. While he doesn't milk the Jimmy Ellis/Orion is Elvis argument he latches on to the second "Orion" who "allegedly" switched places with his masked counterpart during an Orion concert. Jimmy Ellis gave so many interviews after he removed his mask about how ridiculous the whole Orion is Elvis thing was that nothing more on this baseless assertion needs to be said.

Diversion #3: EPE was behind the Sivle Nora LP!

Mary Smiley, one of the Elvis "underground's" most prominent players claims Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc authorized the "Do You Know Who I Am" album by Sivle Nora. According to Mrs Smiley, if you look in the groove of the album, it says Elvis, Inc!

EIN Response: Yes, 'Elvis, Inc' is in the groove of the album. However, this could simply be a bit of fun on the people behind its release. And in any case, EPE does not identify itself as 'Elvis, Inc' (although author, Sean O'Neal, did in the title of his fascinating 1996 book, 'Elvis Inc.' (but that was a device to make a point about EPE's operation)

Diversion #4: Jesse Garon died in August 1977...not Elvis!

The most ridiculous claim was made on the "underground" messageboards in October 2005 when "dl" posted this message:

"Elvis visited me just yesterday and he told me, that he was definitely alive. His twin brother Jesse G. who worked for him as a double on some of the concerts (the colonel booked so many engagements, that Elvis had his twin brother do some of his shows) died in 1977. After that the king worked exclusively as a drug agent for the government and therefore didn't do any recordings. But he's glad that everyone likes the TTWII and EOT outtakes that he was able to smuggle out of the vaults from Turner. He wants the fans to have this material and he told me that he will release a 1974 concert from his Tahoe engagement under the name of "Last Tango In Tahoe" very soon."

Diversion #5: Dr Nick's theory circa 1990

In 1990 Dr Nick began preparing his account of what happened to Elvis. Although his story outline was not published (the synopsis was rejected by numerous publishers), his theory of Elvis being murdered by a blow to the back of the head garnered considerable tabloid space in his name and by others running with the story. The motivation for Dr Nick appears to have been largely reactionary, in response to accusations that he had in effect killed Elvis via the staggering number of medications he prescribed for him.

A synopsis of Dr Nick's "murder" theory is discussed in John Parker's book, Elvis The Secret Files (Anaya Publishers, London, 1993, ISBN: 1854700391) as do Thompson and Cole in their absorbing book, ‘The Death of Elvis’. Dr Nick’s co-writer, Murray Silver, had previously written Great Balls of Fire, the biography of Jerry Lee Lewis. In April 2006 there was news that Dr Nick will finally be releasing a 10 chapter memoir of his time with Elvis. The, as yet untitled book, is due for release in 2007. It also would be interesting if we could hear the tapes of 1980 interviews between Dr Nick and Chief Investigator to the district of Memphis, Larry Hutchinson. The interviews were recorded during the investigation into the alleged over-prescribing of drugs to Elvis.

Diversion #6: Elvis doctor in gruesome Elvis tour

Yahoo UK & Ireland News, March 2006

Elvis Presley's doctor is touring (the US) with a ghoulish exhibition of the drugs taken by the star at the time of his death in 1977. Dr George Nichopolous - known in Memphis, Tennessee as Dr. Nick - has already attracted 10,000 customers to his show in America. In a recent show in Mississippi, he showed the remnants of 13 medications that could have contributed to Elvis' death. He boasts, "The prescriptions were all filed a day or two before he died. Some are to do with his arthritis and high blood pressure. There are drugs for his migraines, sinus and digestive problems and things to help him sleep."

Dr Nichopolous lost his licence for over-prescribing drugs. There are no plans at present to bring the macabre tour to Europe.

Diversion #7: Saying "No" to Elvis' Dr. Nick

by Joal Ryan, E Online!
Jan 21, 1998

When you're a doctor and your most famed patient is, well, dead, image problems go with the territory. Or so George Nichopoulos is learning.

Nichopoulos--once and forever known to Elvis Presley-ologists as Dr. Nick, the King of Rock 'n' Roll's longtime physician and supplier of prescription drugs--was back in front of the medical examiners board in Tennessee Tuesday, trying to get his doctor's license back. But no dice--his request was rejected.

The board stripped Dr. Nick of his black bag two years ago when he was judged to be over-prescribing medication to 13 patients, including another famed (albeit, still-living) rocker, Jerry Lee Lewis, from 1987-1990.

Similar charges were levied against Dr. Nick shortly after Elvis was found face down in the shag carpet of his Graceland bathroom in 1977, dead at age 42. (Dr. Nick was already on the scene when the paramedics arrived.) And while coroner's officials declared cardiac arrest the official culprit, the Elvis' Valley of the Dolls lifestyle did not go unnoted. Traces of several prescription drugs--Amytal, codeine, Demerol, morphine, Nembutal, Placidyl, Valium and Valmid included--were found in Presley's stomach. It was later revealed that Dr. Nick had given Elvis access to 19,000 doses of medication in the final two-and-a-half years of his life.

In 1979, Nichopoulos was indicted on multiple charges of being fast and loose with prescriptions for Elvis, Lewis (again) and a dozen other pill-poppers. His license was suspended for three months in 1980. But a jury cleared him of all criminal charges in 1981. With those trials behind him and Elvis 20 years-plus in the grave, Dr. Nick, now 70, can't understand why he still takes heat for the King's death. "I worked to slow the flow of drugs that Elvis had been using for years," Nichopoulos told the Associated Press prior to yesterday's medical-board hearing. "He would get furious with me and go out of town to get what he wanted. I tried very hard to help him." Dr. Nick says he has also tried very hard to get himself help. He told the medical board that he has undergone counseling to help him "just say no" the next time a patient asks for a bunch of pills.

But in the end, board members just said no to Dr. Nick.

Diversion #8: Hinton loses licence

'Elvis doctor' loses his right to prescribe drugs
By KARA CHILDERS The Examiner, March 2003

Former Independence psychiatrist Donald Hinton ­ who claimed he treated Elvis Presley ­ gave up his registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration after a federal investigation and more than a year of criticism from the public and state medical boards. By relinquishing his authority to prescribe controlled substances for his patients, the psychiatrist can no longer order medications his patients need ­ including Valium, narcotics, amphetamines and tranquilizers. Missouri's Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs also said Hinton is not registered to prescribe controlled substances in the state. Hinton practices at the Picture Hills Psychiatry Center, north of Kansas City but was not available for comment. Hinton formerly worked at Independence Regional Health Center.

In November, the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts reprimanded Hinton and placed him on probation for five years after a woman concerned with Hinton's claims of treating Elvis filed a complaint. An investigation showed Hinton issued "improper and excessive prescriptions," Tina Steinman, the board's executive director, told The Examiner in November.

The settlement report and probation did not connect the Hinton's patient with Elvis, although Hinton told The Examiner in December 2001 that he is treating Elvis for "severe arthritis." Hinton claims he has been in contact with Elvis for more than five years and says he helped Elvis write his book ­ "The Truth About Elvis Aron Presley, In His Own Words." The book says Elvis staged his death in 1977 and assumed the identity of his twin brother Jesse, who was stillborn.

Although Hinton predicted Elvis would come forward ­ at first in August 2002 on the 25th anniversary of his death and then by January 2003 ­ he has remained quiet about his supposed relationship to Elvis since the November reprimand.

Diversion #9: Presley Proof Positive??

by John Herrington, WMV Web News Cleveland, March 21, 1997

There still is a lot of local controversy over whether DNA test results proved that Dr. Sam Sheppard did not kill his wife. Many still believe he committed the crime nearly 43 years ago, regardless of DNA findings that indicate otherwise.

Another court hearing--they say it will be a full-scale trial--is expected on the matter later this summer. So, now, consider this news release from a few days ago:

                "Categorical proof that Elvis Aron Presley was
                not buried August 16, 1977, came this week when
                a DNA laboratory on the East Coast gave a written
                18-page report on two slides of tissue sent them
                for analysis."
            

Whoa! There are those who have long believed that Elvis is still alive. Foremost among them is Phil Aitcheson of the "Presley Commission Liaison Office" in Moneta, Virginia. (See "WMV Web News" story from Jan. 8: "Happy Birthday Elvis.")

And now, the head of the "Elvis is Alive Museum" in Wright City, Missouri, says that that laboratory (in North Carolina) studied two tissue samples, one taken from a liver tissue biopsy done on a living Elvis Presly in 1975, and another taken from an autopsy of the body, said to be that of Presley in August, 1977. The news release says that after an 8-to-10 week examination, "...the laboratory's report concludes positively that these two specimens are from two different people."

In other words, whoever is buried at Graceland is not Elvis Presley; or, at least, so says the "Elvis is Alive Museum" and so concurs the Presley Commission executive. The head of that museum in Missouri is Bill Beeny. Mr. Beeny is a successful, 70-year-old businessman, who owns a real estate development company, two restaurants, and an Elvis gift shop in a St. Louis mall, and who just a few years ago became convinced that Elvis is not dead.

His museum with Elvis research documents and other items is a 600-square-foot building behind his "50's Cafe" in Wright City, just off Interstate 70 about 50 miles west of St. Louis. Beeny has had the cafe about 10 years; he built the museum after he became interested in the Presley mystery (as it has been called) some four years ago.

"When I first got interested," Beeny recalls, "I thought all this talk about Elvis being alive was ridiculous. But, then," he says, "I found so many inconsistencies during my studies of information that I came to the conclusion he did not die August 16, 1977, and that he is still living." Aitcheson and Beeny believe that it is not Presley, but "a donor body" that was declared to be the dead Elvis. Who's body? Several names have been suggested, among them the stepson of Col. Tom Parker. Parker guided Presley's career for 22 years; he died this past January at the age of 87.

His stepson, according to reports, died at about the same time Presley's body was reportedly found on a bathroom floor at Graceland. Why fake Elvis' death? The contention is that Presley's life was in danger from a Mafia group because of testimony that Presley allegedly was going to give in a federal case.

"There were many death threats against Elvis and his daughter," Beeny says and Aitcheson agrees, saying Elvis may be in the federal witness protection program. Beeny says Presley's health and financial situation also were problems and that "...he just wanted to disappear."

Okay: so now they say there is this DNA report that says it isn't The King who is buried at Graceland...what next?

Beeny says he's not sure. He says he's negotiating with some national television programs about appearances (he has been on radio and television shows many times concerning Presley research), and he says there may be a book in the making over all this. Hmmm.

Well, if Elvis is still out there someplace, one might wonder if he might show up at Public Music Hall here in Cleveland next month to see "Blue Suede Shoes," another local showing of the Cleveland Ballet's production set to Presley songs. The rock ballet premiered here in Cleveland last May 29. It came back for encore performances in September, and the four Music Hall shows (April 11-13) are warm-up for the ballet's nine-city international tour of "Blue Suede Shoes."

Elvis certainly would be welcome! (Wouldn't he?) Heck; he might even want to stroll over to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for a look-around before the Hall ups its prices by a couple of bucks in May. During April, the Rock Hall is offering 2-for-1 admissions while much of the facility's main exhibition hall is shut down during the building of a new display that will highlight rock's psychedelic period from 1965-1969. (Oh, and another thing: Beeny and Aitcheson aren't sure just who is buried in Elvis' place; there are no tissue samples from whoever it is while he was alive to compare with Elvis samples. (And how did they get those Elvis tissue samples anyway? Beeny says they don't want to talk about that, but that "...we're covered, legally." He says he paid for the testing.)

Meanwhile, business at the "50's Cafe" and the "Elvis is Alive Museum" always picks up when nice weather returns. And it is springtime, now. If you happen to be on I-70 between Kansas City and St. Louis, and are interested, you can't miss the cafe: it has an Elvis theme--there's a 16-foot high statue of The King out front, and more than 3,000 Presley pictures inside--and it's just off the interstate on the north service road at the Wright City exit. The museum is the annex in back.

And in Memphis, the folks at the much bigger edifice really don't think too much of all this stuff about Elvis still being alive. If one were to listen closely, one might even hear something that sounds like, "You're Nothing but a Hound Dog," wafting from Graceland toward Wright City, Missouri, and Moneta, Virginia.

But then again, maybe not.

Diversion #10: Elvis, or someone else, was murdered in Graceland!

"JustMe" posted this message in August 2003 on an Elvis "underground" messageboard:

"It's well documented a murder occurred August 1977. Its just a question of the identity of the "murder" victim. Was it the "double" who was to go on Tour? Who committed the murder? Doctor Nick stated on television it was David Stanley who committed the murder. The murder was mentioned on Geraldo, and other talk shows.

Donna Presley Early mentions the murder in her book, and stated that Vernon asked Dick Grob to investigate David Stanley's whereabouts the time of the "murder." David, himself, stated in his book that Vernon suspected him of the murder. Thompson and Cole mention the Murder in their book, but reported some people thought it was Elvis who committed the murder. Dick Grob mentions investigating the murder in his book. The murder is common knowledge among "some" Gatheringites.

Ellen Marie Foster mentions the "murder" in one of her letters to Pat Elliott, and indicated the body was poisoned with "arsenic" in his whiskey. Ellen says simply it was "arsenic in whiskey."

Ellen looked like Gladys Presley, and Elvis gave her his mother's ring. Ellen donated it to a museum...... Ellen was an "insider," and was good friends with Aunt Delta."

EIN Comment: Ms Foster is deceased.

Charmaine Voisine feedback: I am a personal friend of Donna's. There is no such thing in here book.  I have her book.

EIN comment: Charmaine is right. This is another example of how some people in the Elvis underground make false claims. The claim is however covered and discounted in the very interesting book by Memphia Mafia member, Dick Grob, 'The Elvis Conspiracy'.

Diversion #11: Elvis living in his plane!

"The Elvis Special" ran this item in its newsletter:

'We have received startling news from four different people from Louisville, Kentucky. A TV news program ran a story that a plane has been found registered to Elvis and apparently being lived in by an unknown person. The plane is large, with all the comforts of home and even has a swimming pool area. People are asking if Elvis is living in it.'

Diversion #12: The Presley Commission 'watching' Mary Smiley

Diversion #13: Elvis insane from childhood!

Messageboard posting by JOEORMARY May 21, 2003

Elvis was "insane" since childhood! He was a victim of incest, and physical abuse! He was a dual personality! This is in books! The Fairytale book for one reports the physical abuse in vivid detail! His mother locked him in the shed with rats, and he had gotten so many beatings, the broken bones showed up on X Ray's years later! Gladys was mean, vicious, and cruel. She'd hit him with anything Elvis was "insane" since childhood! He was a victim of incest, and physical abuse! He was a dual personality! This is in books! The Fairytale book for one reports the physical abuse in vivid detail! His mother locked him in the shed with rats, and he had gotten so many beatings, the broken bones showed up on X Ray's years later! Gladys was mean, vicious, and cruel. She'd hit him with anything she had in her hands, big iron skillets or clubs! Don't believe it! Who cares! You will not be permitted to control my reports! I told you where to find the physical abuse: Fairytale is ONE of the books!

The "den" scene aluded to what occurred. It's devasting! Elvis came out looking like a "mummy," meaning frozen in shock. The Fairytale book describes the horrifying scene. I cried on and off for hours

EIN Comment: 'Fairytale' was released as a novel, not as a work of non-fiction (see also Timeline:1985)

Diversion #14: The Wanda Hill Phone Transcripts

The story goes that Ms Hill taped her phone conversations. This is an alleged excerpt from acall to Graceland in 1969:

Priscilla Presley: Not this man! He said what he felt for me was something unreal, too hard to put into words, and went beyond mere love. That it was something more we had to do on this earth and he cared more for me than himself. When the time is right, he said, then I'd understand what he meant! Je gave me that old double talk, but he didn't make love to me. He wouldn't let me do anything! "L.", Elvis-if he hasn't been cheating, hasn't had sex of any type at all for at least 7 months! Not with me!

"L.": My God Beau! I think you should insist he see a counselor. You can't go on living like that! If he's just angry about [name omitted] then you must get it out in the open! It's not natural, is he, Beau, is he having a problem sexually? Maybe that's his hang up.

PP: No, that's not it. He's capable. He just refused to allow any contact that might lead to sex. He's loving in other ways, bringing me nice gifts, giving me flowers, and he's polite. He kisses and cuddles. I've thought he wanted sex, but if I try he's turned off! I just don't know what to do with him anymore.

"L.": Could it be the religious thing's he's into now?

PP: I think that's a big part of it. Elvis said the energy used for sex was tremendous, that channeled in the right direction, it could benefit him directly, that it was good to be chaste. It deepened the love nature, enriched the soul and made you stronger! Its sinful when used as a game, or just fun and that it should be one of mediation and prayer, treated as a gift from God! He went on and on about it, then said from now on I have to listen to him and practice what he did because from now on sex was going to be "right" or not at all! I think he's trying to force me to take part in his religion by withholding his affections this way.

"L.": He sounds a little warped out Beau. I really believe he needs to talk to someone not one of those religious nuts he sees either! That's crazy. You are married. It's not a sin!

PP: That's not all he thinks either. He sits for hours at the pool in the moonlight, stares at the water and talks to himself! He says he sees and hears voices talking back, that he can see people in the water! Then he lights candles and chants! He spends hours mediatating and won't talk to anyone! Or even move! I caught him teaching Lisa to do the same thing at the pool the other day. I told him to stop it. He got so angry he stormed away in a huff to the barn. I can't talk to him anymore about anything without him getting uptight or mad. I really think he doesn't love me anymore, that he wishes he were free.

"L..": Oh I hope not! You need to see someone, [here she goes on about them being perfect together] Elvis is such a nice guy. He loved you so much he couldn't just change like that! It must be the crazy things they're teaching him at that retreat! It must be that!

PP: I'd like to blow the place to bits! Since they've had their hands on him he has become a different man!

"L.": He's so sexy...[part cut out here]

PP: He used to be...but that was before the baby came....

"L.": And before he joined the religious center--

PP: It was.

"L.": I think that's it. He told G. something about his wanted to be a priest! Wanting to gain the knowledge and the power to help people. He said it was difficult. He had so many bad habits to overcome. Maybe sex is one of them? In his mind, I mean.

PP: It is. I'm sure of it! But I'm his wife, doesn't that count! My God, I have got to get him aways from those...people!

"L.": I hope you can soon. I'd hate to see Elvis ruined.

Diversion #15: The Jimmy "Orion" Ellis Myth

Jimmy Ellis initially found fame because of his vocal simalarity to Elvis. The Shelby Singleton initiated albums, "Jerry Lee Lewis & Friends" and "Duets" had many fans fooled. Those with a trained ear knew immediately it wasn't Elvis but for thousands of others they weren't so sure. And when Jimmy Ellis morphed into the masked singer Orion, cleverly marketed with an Elvis hook and cross-promotion with Gail Brewer-Giorgio's book of the same name, the myth flourished, at least in the religiously inclined hotbed of the southern states of North America.

The Jerry Lee Lewis albums featuring Jimmy Ellis sold respectively, not in the millions but in the tens of thousands. Similarly, for a few years Orion's prolific recording career saw him achieve success, particularly on the Cashbox & Billboard Country Album charts. His stage persona fooled many, despite the fact that Jimmy Ellis was 3 to 4 inches taller than Elvis and even with the mask the facial resemblance between the two was minimal. Without the mask any resemblance virtually disappeared.

To counter this, particularly after Ellis/Orion, tired of his masked persona, unmasked in 1982, the believers constructed fanciful tales of plastic surgery and the "second" Orion. Their belief could remain intact by redefining elements of the myth.

Also, in later years all the believers had to do was ask Jerry Lee Lewis about the mystery vocalist on the albums. He quite happily told stories about Jimmy Ellis, later the masked man called Orion.

Sadly, Jimmy Ellis would meet a callous and premature death:

Click for:

The rollercoaster, tragic story of Jimmy Ellis

Jimmy "Orion" Ellis gunned down & killed in robbery

Professional & Academic:

JNA & Associates Pty Ltd (Investigative Consultants)

American Board of Recorded Evidence - Voice Comparison Standards

The Effects of Decreased Frequency Bandwidth on Speaker Identification by Aural and Spectrographic Examination of Speech Samples, Greenwald, M., Michigan State University

Voice Identification: The Aural/Spectrographic Method, Michael C. McDermott, Tom Owen, Frank M. McDermott, Ltd./Owl Investigations, Inc.

Books:

Careless Love The Unmaking of Elvis Presley, Peter Guralnick

Elvis Inc. The Fall and Rise of the Presley Empire, Sean O'Neal

Elvis' DNA Proves He's Alive, Bill Beeny

Elvis The Secret Files, John Parker

The Death of Elvis: What Really Happened, Charles C. Thompson II & James P. Cole

The Tupelo-Memphis Murders: A Psychological Study of Self Destruction and Murder!, Anonymous

True Disbelievers: The Elvis Contagion, Serge Denisoff & George Plasketes

Media articles:

"Evangelist Says He Resigned as Pastor over 'Differences,'" St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 9 April 1961

"Evangelist Sees U.S. Officials on Red Inquiry," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 12 April 1961

"Evangelist Beeny Tells of Penchant for Sticking Head in Lion’s Mouth," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 23 April 1961

"Beeny March Supports War," Springfield Press Leader (MO), 1 November. 1965

"Beeny Displays Weapons for 'Home Defense,'" St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 27 June 1966

"The Rev. Bill Beeny Endorses Wallace," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 24 July 1968

"Voice of Reason, Inc.," Federal Register, vol. 35, no. 85 (1 May 1970), 6988-9"Bill Beeny is Refused Broadcasting License," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5-6March. 1971

"What Ever Happened to Bill Beeny," St. Louis Globe-Democrat, 14-15 August. 1976

Internet resources:

In The Circuit

Nodeworks Encyclopedia

Oregon Department of Justice: Attorney General announces lawsuit settlement with Florida-Based Telemarketer Fundraisers, Inc

Wikipedia

Underground Websites, Messageboards & Chat Groups (most are no longer active):

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GATHERINGITES2004/

http://members.boardhost.com/ElvisManORMyth/msg/4.html

http://village.fortunecity.com/radclyffe/778/alive.html

http://www.crazyme.org.uk/html/larry.html

Dear King website

Mary Smiley's 'Molly & Joe' board

Mary Smiley's Private Messageboard

Mickey Moran site

Click to comment on this article

Reader feedback

Added 2 May 2006:

Anita: Your story misses a lot of information about how Elvis faked his death and left clues for his fans. He never wanted to leave us but because of the Mafia he had to. It broke his heart going away like that.

Brian Spencer (England): I found your article to be interesting. Is it not also possible the Beeny DNA samples were switched years ago in the hospital?

EIN Response: Yes!

Ida Ritter (USA): I read all of the article that you prepared. First of all:  Congratulations on a well prepared and designed hard work.

Paul Turner: Well done!

BEARS9@aol.com: I realy like the article on is Elvis alive...great work.

Margaret B.: I know in my heart that Elvis didn't die in 1977. Your article is wrong.

Roger Brooks: While I do not share your conclusions I commend you on a generally well researched and interesting article. There is a lot more about Elvis' alleged death which will come out in the next year or so. It will make many disbelievers stand up and take notice.

Sue (USA): You people just don't get it. Elvis loved his family and friends didn't want to put them in danger. That is why he had to disappear from sight. He is a great man and we should be proud of what he did for others, it cost him a lot personally.

Siobhan Green: Cool article! Keep up the good work.

Barb P.: Your article is CRAP!!

Robert McKenzie: Brilliant! You've king hit those Elvis is alive nuts.

Barry Fuller: Why can't we just forget all this ridiculous Elvis is alive nonsense and concentrate on what its really about, his music!

Ann (France): Magnifique!

Mike G.: You will be proven wrong!!!!

ElvisLivesinTorquay: Wow! What an article. I've read it a few times and I'm still finding things I never knew.

Sarah Friend: Your article has made me think. I'm not convinced you are right and I'm going to double check some of your facts. It was enjoyable reading it.

Added 3 May 2006:

Phil Aitcheson (Presley Commission, USA) #4: Remember hearsay evidence is just that, and typically comes with no or little documentation.  The DNA test has plenty of documentation.  Just because the Doctor doesn't want his name put out there, means little.  The fact remains the results are what they are.  They were prudently and carefully submitted, and came back the way they did.  We accept the findings, because there are nothing to really dispute them.  Any Doctor or medical pro will tell you, when you have suitable DNA results, that is that. That's not to say, of course that more evidence can't be derived, but for DNA to show what it has provided, it is a good thing.  Good luck with the article.

Cory Cooper (elvisexpert@aol.com): The exhaustive work and research of Patrick Lacy I think many in the Elvis world and fans will enjoy. This endeavor not only will dispel these types of rumors and stories over the years but will also tell the facts and explain why these stories and rumors are wrong with rational explanations. Finally there will be a definitive work that will explore this topic and hopefully put an end to all the misinformation and rumor.

EIN Response: We appreciate AJ's passion and many of his points. They demonstrate how easily people can be led into believing something! 

Hate to disappoint AJ though.  EIN isn't writing a book about the issue nor do we have any for sale (apart from a few remaining copies of 'The Tupelo-Memphis Murders').  Our main area of sales is the BMG FTD releases. If AJ has any evidence suggesting our article is designed so EIN can sell books we will very happily give him prominent front page placement on the EIN site.

As for the autopsy report it was sealed for 50 years and is due for release in August 2027. 

Our article was simply to provide a background/timeline for the issue and expose a critical weakness in the DNA claims.  Long time readers of EIN will know we have published many other articles challenging widely accepted beliefs in the Elvis world (eg. Elvis & racism; Elvis vs. The Beatles/Elvis' record sales exceed 1 billion).

---

AJ #2: Well, I'm kind of an investigator too, Nigel. Didn't take a second to find Patrick.......

Ask any question! Allexperts.com is the oldest & largest free Q&A service on the Internet.

Volunteer Patrick Answers

Subject	Your name
Question	What is your last name, Patrick? Or at least, what part of the US do you live? Do you think Elvis is alive or dead? Your proof? thanks, AJ
Answer	AJ- Thanks for writing. I live near Washington DC, and I am guessing you have read EIN this week. Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977, and there is ample proof to support that contention (too much to cover here). The burden of proof to illustrate otherwise in on the people who claim Elvis is alive, and so far, they have been unable to provide even one shred of evidence. Hope this answers your questions. Thanks. Patrick

EIN Response: EIN was unaware of Patrick Lacy's book until we published our article. We had been informed prior to publishing the article that a new book was to be published but we were not aware of its author or title.

EIN is in no way associated with publication or sale of Patrick's book, but it does sound very interesting and we intend to run news stories about it, as we have done with other "is Elvis alive" books, and in fact as we have done for many other types of Elvis books, CDs and DVDs. A cursory check of our news archives easily demonstrates this.

AJ has mistakenly assumed we prepared our article with the intent of selling Patrick's book to make money. Again, this could not be further from the truth!

---

Brad Miller (USA): Freakin' awesome article.

Malcolm Bright: As a police investigator for more than 20 years I can tell you, you have hit the nail squarely on its head. Well done!

Peta Gurnson: Why don't you let Elvis rest in peace!

Allison Fabozzi: I read the article, very interesting. So lets say Elvis may still be alive today. If so who is the real Elvis today, he sure wouldnt use his name but you know as well as I do there is a select few out there that are trying to make people believe they are the real Elvis.

Amber Smith (Australia): Red hot article!

James Peachy (Scotland): These people are certifiable nuts! I say find the nearest funny farm.

Bianca: Those of us who know don't need to prove anything to those who don't understand. There were big reasons why Elvis faked his death. They all make sense, its that a lot of people don't know what he was involved in and how dangerous it was. Elvis is now much older and at this time of his life would gain nothing but heartache by revealing himself. It is so wonderful how he continues to bring so many so much joy and inner happiness.

Steve M (on FECC board): That was always the question put to Beeny to which he never answered with anything relevant to the question. How can he prove the samples he had were from Elvis ? He couldn't and consequently never did.

EIN wrote: This now leaves only one material issue in the "is Elvis alive" conspiracy argument...the alleged unclaimed insurance policy. The organisation best placed to clarify this issue is of course EPE.

Why EPE does not answer questions on, or clarify this issue, is anyone's guess.

Steve says: Why should EPE do this ? It's not their problem, they dont have an issue with it.
As far as I recall (going back a good number of years now and my memory...) Elvis did cash in the insurance in 1977 before he died. The paperwork that related to this and discovered later assumed the policy was still in place.

I also believe the reason was to raise hard cash in order to pay Priscilla for the final divorce settlement payment and even then he had to sign over a third of the value of Graceland to her. Not many realise Cilla owned a good chunk of Graceland at the time Elvis died.

AJ #3:

EIN says: Charlie Hodge actually sued Chanzes because he was being misrepresented in Chanzes claims/book.  Charlie was mentioned in Chanzes' book as having received $1m for his services! Charlie's legal claim was settled 'out of court' when he accepted $2,500.00 from Chanzes (paid in $250 instalments).  Chanzes was also to destroy all copies of his book (although of course it later resurfaced with a new author's name!). 

AJ responds: People were not happy with Charlie Hodge talking to Chanzes. But, Charlie waited nearly 2 years before filing a lawsuit against Globe and Chanzes. What was he waiting for if he was so outraged? Perhaps his promised $1,000,000.00?? I don't believe Chanzes for one minute and believe he is and was a crook. But, Charlie seems to be to have been no better. He too wanted his "pound of flesh", just because he was one of Elvis' "friends".

EIN Response: AJ is right on one count. Charlie did wait nearly 2 years to sue Chanzes. As for Charlie's motivation, AJ's claim is conjecture. Possibly it's right, but definitely it is conjecture.

AJ #5: There are 3 or 4 of us looking too. I think it's just the way some judge everyone as Nuts or freaks that ask these questions.It makes me angry !!

There are lots of questions unanswered, still yet from 1977. We're just looking for the answers. I see no reason that all of this happened in the first place. IF it was a cover-up, I'm willing to admit it might be because of drugs or other reasons. It was just a botched job, dead or alive. EPE had a good reason to stop it. They didn't and still don't.

In all fairness; Lisa doesn't owe anyone a thing......but, if it was my dad, my life ....I think I'd just get it all over with and give a doctor some DNA. Just to get out of the circus.
I DO empathize with the fans that totally believe he's alive though. I don't want to hurt them; only protect them from the crooks and scam artists. On the other hand I've ran into Mary Smiley and believe me.....she doesn't give a damn who she hurts . She appears to enjoy it.
Because of my ethics .....you and I will never be friends, because I don't believe in letting her get away with all her crap. She's the one that's let all this drive her nuts !!

I'm sure we'll live to disagree again.....

AJ #6: In order to have a debate or discussion.....one must be able to respond in a timely fashion to keep a discussion going. You have not done that here. I've only expressed my opinion and lack of any proof to anything said. I've not meant this as a personal attack {as Ms Smiley has done} but,  to point out your own and her lack of facts. For someone to claim knowledge to any inside information is totally ludicrous. Not one of the MM nor EP's family, nor any of the authors of these "tell all" books have ever ventured into the subject of Operation Fountain Pen. It's all out here. Tell it, Nigel. BTW: I am looking into the claim made by Thompson and Cole about receiving the autopsy report. It just takes time ..unless one's satisfied with repeating what was said in another book. I'm not.

EIN Comment: As its title suggests, this section is simply Reader Feedback, not a discussion board. Those wanting to debate the issue can do so on the FECC or alt.elvis.king boards. There is currently a vigorous discussion of our article on FECC (several posts are published below)

AJ #7: So, how does it feel, Nigel? I never meant to attack you or your article. I was only offended that you attacked and inferred that Mr Beney was scamming and YOU could prove a "fatal flaw" in what he wrote. That's kind of like fake advertising, isn't it? BTW: if you check, Beeny never made a dime off that little book of his .....he paid for it all himself and never got a return.......unlike some of these other weirdo's .....

I won't bother you.....I'm still looking for ways to prove Elvis is either dead or alive. I don't have the time to mess  with Mary Smiley craziness !! You should try it sometime.....it's not up to you or me to tell people what to believe. Only to keep them from being tricked into believing someone has or is Elvis and try to solicit money in his name .....sick SOB's in my thinking.

Take care , but don't ever try to be condescending to me . I take offense to that and will discredit you every time.......I NEVER recommend any ones site or message board....not even my own. Mine is to review all things.....in private and contact everyone with a story. To prove or disprove any and all things. In case you've never been involved with this ElvisAlive stuff, it can  get quite dirty....believe me.
Very few have the stomach for it .....I quit at least every other day........

AJ #8: I have not meant what I said as a personal attack on you .....like the personal attacks I refer to that Mary Smiley has done to people. IF you are truly "in the know" then you know the attacks Smiley has carried out to all involved in an Elvis discussion. She, along with her minions, such as Paul Monroe have destroyed small message boards . They've also said nasty, disgusting things about Elvis Presley. As her Representative; you too will soon will have the same reputation as Mary and Paul......It's your funeral.....I'm done.

EIN Response: This one caught us off-guard. If anyone else thinks EIN represents Mary Smiley let us know. For the record, EIN is in no way associated with, nor do we agree with, Mrs Smiley's claims. However, her claims are a major part of the Elvis underground, hence why we have reported on them.

AJ #9: Since I have no way of posting this , please do it for everyone. The DEA response too.

On page 231 in True Disbelievers you'll see a statement from Joe Esposito:
 "Elvis was not an undercover agent, and NO BAND MEMBERS .AS CLAIMED ,WERE UNDERCOVER AGENTS."
Sorry, Joe .....the Government says different....... Looks like Joe didn't know everything about his boss.

EIN Note: We attempted to copy the DEA letters dated late 1982 which confirm there was an undercover agent in Elvis' band but unfortunately our picture viewer failed.

Chad Heywood (New Zealand): Who is this AJ? He's an absolute idiot with an agenda and major ego problems! I won't be holding my breath for him to solve anything.

Barbara (England): Are you sure AJ isn't related to Mary Smiley? At the least they must be from the same planet.

Genie (alt.elvis.king board): Fatal Flaw?" Forensic Science has come far and beyond fatal errors or flaws as well as one man or woman's "Evidence" is not automatically true or false.

Scatter (FECC board): Hmmmmmmmm.........I appreciate the article, but to me the fatal flaw was never a mystery. Beeny is full of excrement,and a nutjob of the first order who would drop the whole fantasy if he could just manage to get laid.

Steve_M (FECC board): That was always the question put to Beeny to which he never answered with anything relevant to the question. How can he prove the samples he had were from Elvis ? He couldn't and consequently never did.

EIN wrote: This now leaves only one material issue in the "is Elvis alive" conspiracy argument...the alleged unclaimed insurance policy. The organisation best placed to clarify this issue is of course EPE.

Why EPE does not answer questions on, or clarify this issue, is anyone's guess

Why should EPE do this ? It's not their problem, they dont have an issue with it.
As far as I recall (going back a good number of years now and my memory...) Elvis did cash in the insurance in 1977 before he died. The paperwork that related to this and discovered later assumed the policy was still in place. I also believe the reason was to raise hard cash in order to pay Priscilla for the final divorce settlement payment and even then he had to sign over a third of the value of Graceland to her. Not many realise Cilla owned a good chunk of Graceland at the time Elvis died.

JeroenNL (FECC board) #1: With great interest I've read your article.

I do agree that a there might be a flaw in Beenys DNA evidence.

However: people can take DNA from dead bodies and animals long after they have died and their body's also haven't been kept in the most ideal conditions as well... So there is still a bit of doubt on this subject in my mind. It is an interresting story, problem is that Beeny seems a bit out of this world.

Although a great article it doesn't answer all questions around August 16th, 1977.

The unclaimed insurance money is just one thing that remains strange. I also feel that the whole FBI File has a lot more to do with August 16th then we now know. And although Gail Brewer Georgio made some weird claims and presented a heap of facts that weren't facts she was the first one to point out the excistence of the FBI Files.

What really bugs me is that although Elvis was a crown-witness in the 'Operation Fountain Pen' case he did not get his justice done in court even though he had already died. The American goverment approved dropping all charges raised against the suspects concerning the Elvis case. So: Elvis lost his plane and about a million dollars but in the end he did not get any of that money back that would have been more then welcome to keep Graceland running at that time (he did get his plane back, while he was still alive).... Something doesn't add up there....

The whole August 16th case will forever remain a point of discussion. it is good to seperate facts from fiction. I guess we will have to wait till all official papers are finally made public. (Another clever thing to do at that time: when the papers will be made public you will know one thing for sure: everybody involved will be dead... Isn't that the same tactic used in the JFK case?... )

Adam Muskiewick (USA): Elvis Presley died in 1977, right? That's the official story. But some people say they've seen Presley alive years after he supposedly was put to rest on the grounds of his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tenn. He must have gotten tired of being the king of rock 'n' roll and faked his death, some surmise. Perhaps he took up residence in a smallish Midwestern town with a funny name.

Director Adam Muskiewicz and producer Dan Bliss were in Kalamazoo recently to do interviews for their documentary "The Truth About Elvis.''

"We're very excited about our interviews here. We've always known that Memphis, Vegas and Kalamazoo were our keystone cities'' for the mythology surrounding the legendary musician, Muskiewicz said Wednesday.

In the spring of 1988, the supermarket tabloid Weekly World News printed a story that Elvis had been spotted in a Kalamazoo Burger King restaurant. Gazette reporter Tom Haroldson wrote about the sighting report that May. He found the woman quoted in the tabloid story, Louise Welling, of Vicksburg, who said she had seen Elvis at a Vicksburg grocery; she said it was her daughter who had seen Elvis at the Burger King.

The story, former Gazette Editor James R. Mosby Jr. said Wednesday, then ``took on a life of its own, and it took off not only around the country but around the world.'' The Gazette story moved on the Associated Press wire and made its way into newspapers such as the New York Times. ``Then suddenly one day Haroldson's getting phone calls from the BBC (British Broadcasting Corp.) wanting to interview him,'' Mosby said.

On Wednesday morning, Muskiewicz interviewed Mosby and Kalamazoo Mayor Hannah McKinney on camera. He interviewed Welling later on Wednesday and Haroldson on Thursday. Before meeting the filmmakers, Mosby suspected the film might be a spoof. ``I thought they were going to do a put-on or put-down of the whole thing, or of Kalamazoo, but it didn't appear that way at all. They appeared to be very much into the Elvis thing, and very much into why there's this myth that keeps popping up and bouncing around almost 30 years after he died.''

Muskiewicz, an actor from Cleveland who has been in independent films, teamed in 2004 with Bliss, a producer of poker DVDs in Los Angeles, to look into the Elvis mystery. Muskiewicz said he thought, after hearing stories of Elvis still walking the earth, that it would be a great documentary subject, but only if filmmakers approached it seriously.

"There is nothing poking fun or making fun of anybody in this movie at all,'' Muskiewicz said.

Welling's story had Muskiewicz wondering about Elvis, who would be 71 years old today, after he spoke with her Wednesday. After 18 years, he said, "she's absolutely sure'' she saw Elvis at the checkout lane of the Vicksburg Harding's store, now a Felpausch store. Muskiewicz said he asked her how she knew it was Elvis. "Obviously it was 10 or 11 years after Elvis had died, so presumably his appearance would've changed a little bit,'' he said. "She made it clear, like so many people have said, when you're next to Elvis you know, simply because the man had an aura about him.''

Muskiewicz said he hopes to have "The Truth About Elvis'' ready for a premiere on Aug. 16, 2007 -- the 30th anniversary of Elvis' official date of death. In the meantime, he will keep looking for evidence and stories and would like those who believe they have seen Elvis to contact him at www.truthabout-elvis.com.

Betty (USA): Thanks for the interesting article.

Jim: The article was a joke, right?

Elvis4ever: Love this conspiracy stuff!!!! Funny how many Elvis fans live in their own world far away from reality.

Jeannie: Who is the Presley Commission? Is it part of EPE? I've never heard of it before.

Bullfrog: Its actually quite sad when people like the Presley Commission have to give themselves a sense of importance in something that is basically none of their business.

Brad (USA): Where does this Phil Aitcheson guy get off! He has no standing whatsoever in Elvis' death. As for this AJ character what a nutter he is. He seems to be a very unfulfilled individual. Still they're good for a laugh.

ep blvd: For all of you who are ridiculing those who have questions about the death of Elvis, you shouldn't be so pompous and condescending.  Most of the people that you are condemning have spent quite a bit more time researching the death of Elvis than the rest of you.  Even more so than some authors who have written books on the subject or life of Elvis.

Someone here suggested that some of the posters must have a lot of times on their hands?   That might be true, but the people I know have an intellectual curiousity and a real good B.S. detector.

Very few here have emphatically claimed Elvis to be alive, only that they have serious questions about that day.

Historian Gerald W Johnson says:

"Nothing changes more constantly than the past; for the past that influences our lives does not consist of what actually happened, but of what man recorded"

Added 11 May 2006

johnnyelvis1@webtv.net: Elvis wrote me and said things that know one else would know I drove
for Mr. Elvis And Vernon ( Daddy ). w/b. Thank You, ...Thank you very much. And may God Bless you.

Bill Beeny: This is my first correspondence with EIN. Isn't it great that here in the U.S.A. we can publicly disagree with one another, challenge the other man's facts, etc.? Where else but in this country could this be done? I have read with interest the some 30 - 40 pages about the"dead/live" issue concerning Elvis. Tons of theories, hypothesis, speculations, etc. It is all very interesting and I think you have done a superb job in moderating, even though you don't necessarily agree with me. I give you an A+ in your effort.

Added 12 May 2006

Sue (EPE123) #3: This response is to Mr. Lacker's latest message. Firstly, I wish you would STOP the name calling, OK? No one, especially myself have not stooped that low. You believe what you like about Elvis and/or he being alive. You, my sir, have a big head, and over the years have done nothing but gone around telling everyone you were close to Elvis. Fine. That is wonderful for you. I don't much care. But you are mistaken about the "Aaron" spelling, and you know it. Thank you!!!!

Added 14 May 2006

AJ (returns): In response to: member  of MM and co-best man at Elvis' wedding. {pretty funny}

If he can say  Elvis wasn't threatened or was the target of extortion he needs to read the FBI files http://news.lp.findlaw.com/legalnews/entertainment/fbi/elvis/elvis00001.html

He's also said he was NOT at the funeral/viewing in Memphis of the alleged body of EP. Would appear he couldn't know  Elvis died either. He might  want to talk to Mr Wedick to see about the "myth" of Operation Fountain Pen" too.http://www.fraudspecialists.com/investigative_profile.html

AJ: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7833922/

NBC News has learned that Winfield, who met with Ney in London, is a three-time convicted felon who spent more than six years in prison. He cheated on his taxes and was involved in a deal to swindle Elvis Presley.

Added 18 May 2006

Jim Fay: There is one thing that does not add up. Elvis died during the recording of his last album "Moody Blue." The recording took place at the Presley mansion, in what is known today as "The Jungle Room." The room was designed to bring the recording studio to him. Anyone who knows anything about recording an album could tell you that music could not be recorded in that room as it is, the acoustics would be terrible. My question is if the room was a recording studio, containing only recording equipment, and Elvis died during the recording, then who decorated that room? They say it was Elvis' favorite room.

EIN Response: The 'Moody Blue" album was actually recorded in the Jungle Room on October 29 & 30, 1976 with additional "live" tracks taken from Elvis' April 1977 concert shows.

Ernst Jorgensen states in his excellent book on Elvis' recording sessions, Elvis Presley A Life In Music The Complete Recording Sessions:

"Nashville engineer Brian Christian was sent out two weeks before the session to assess the working conditions and work out how to prepare the room to allow each musician some degree of isolation and headset communication. There were certainly problems to be overcome; all the walls had to be draped with heavy moving blankets to dampen the acoustics."

Ernst goes on to say how the electrical needs were more than adequately covered when Brian was amazed to find 700 amps available for his purposes!

Briony: Your article was very interesting. One thing I've always wondered about is the rigor mortis and why the paramedics tried to revive Elvis?

EIN Response: The rigor mortis issue is an interesting, but on analysis, unremarkable one.

In its timeline of events on August 16, 1977, the Presley Commission claims (the claim is also stated in Dr Beeny's book):

"The medics continued CPR, despite the body being Rigor-Mortised and
with Lividity."

Rigor mortis is the rigid stiffening of skeletal and cardiac muscle which begins shortly after death. As Thompson & Cole correctly note in their book, the process of rigor mortis is a gradual one, affected by environmental conditions, and EIN notes it can take many hours to complete.

Lividity is a tissue condition of being red or blue because of venous (vein) congestion.

In the absence of viewing the Presley Commission Report, it appears the source for the claim is from a number of members of the Memphis Mafia. EIN has sought clarification on this issue from Phil Aitcheson.

In the book, The Death of Elvis What Really Happened, by Thompson & Cole, the authors state:

"The two technicians were unable to find any vital signs of life...His body was cool and beginning to stiffen....As the ambulance raced toward the hospital, the signs of rigor mortis were spreading."

Similarly, Dick Grob, a seasoned law enforcement officer and someone experienced with the clinical indicators of deceased persons, wrote in his book, The Elvis Conspiracy, that on arriving at the Trauma Room of Baptist Memorial, after 2.45pm on 16 August 1977:

"I noticed that rigor mortis had not yet set in. Although I did not touch his body, I could see the ease with which the medical personnel were moving the various parts of his body. I also saw the absence of any marked postmortem lividity from Elvis' still body. I observed that his color was gone and a slight blue cast was present."

It is likely the onset of rigor mortis in Elvis progressed slowly. It is well documented how Elvis liked his room temperatures kept very low, and a low environmental temperature would have acted to slow the rigor mortis process.

So who do we believe? The accounts of trained paramedics and a seasoned law enforcement officer familar with the state of a recently deceased body, or the Presley Commission's claim which appears to be based on comments from one or more persons untrained regarding the clinical stages of death?

EIN will be very interested in Phil Aitcheson's response on this issue, but in the absence of compelling factual evidence to the contrary, EIN does not believe there is a material issue regarding rigor mortis and lividity.

Added 19 May 2006

AJ: In the book, The Death of Elvis What Really Happened, by Thompson & Cole, the authors state:"The two technicians were unable to find any vital signs of life...His body was cool and beginning to stiffen....As the ambulance raced toward the hospital, the signs of rigor mortis were spreading."

I would hope the EMT's would recognize the S&S of rigor. My question about this "story" was why in the world the patient wasn't taken to the nearest hospital. That is the procedure. That wasn't BMH !! You will also find in this book that the teeth were said to be smashed b/c of administering CPR. Yet you'll see in several other books; the teeth were perfectly fine.

Similarly, Dick Grob, a seasoned law enforcement officer and someone experienced with the clinical indicators of deceased persons, wrote in his book, The Elvis Conspiracy, that on arriving at the Trauma Room of Baptist Memorial, after 2.45pm on 16 August 1977.

Similarly, you will also find in another book you mention that Dick Grob had to admit, in court, that he was never told EP had bone cancer either.{As he states in HIS book}  I'd be very careful of anything Dick Grob says.

So here is just a small part of the discrepancies you find in any and all books. It's best to look for oneself and make your own decisions. Yet some wonder why we still question? Intelligence!!

Added 21 May 2006

AJ (responds to Cory Cooper's comments added 19 May):

Cory Cooper (ElvisExpert@aol.com): If any of the Alive/Faked death stories were true, it would be one of the biggest stories in the history of the media .

Cory: Its a small group of people and the overzealous writers that keep this irrational and ridiculous belief going and the occasional media story that gives it about as much credit as a sideshow.

AJ: That's where you're wrong. There are thousands of people that believe EP didn't die in 1977.
The sideshow started with Goldman and others  like him. They are the ones that turned this into a gross,evil  laughing matter. Most of us are very serious in asking and looking for answers to our questions.
Why are people like you afraid of the answers?

Cory: DNA evidence is completely useless if its not divulged where and how the samples were obtained and be able to prove they are indeed actual samples of the subject. If that does exist, then why has it not been given to the media to prove their case? The answer is because they only want to give out what they want you to believe that will fit their story.

AJ: The answer is ; it has been answered. Mr Beeny told how the doctor obtained the samples; a courier came from the Lab and signed for them. Then the pathologist had to sign for them before doing his tests. If you take the time to look, it's said Fox News had the same tests ran with the same conclusions. The only problem I see is that the doctor wanted to remain anonymous, as he lived and had his practice in Memphis. Do you have witnesses that wish to remain anonymous? I know Nigel does, he told me.

EIN Comment: AJ's approach to these sort of issues is interesting. The fact that other parties, including Dr Beeny, have unnamed sources is apparently not an issue for him. But twice now he has tried to make an issue with EIN over it having one unnamed source, and now with Cory Cooper in a similar vein.

For the record, the issue AJ is alluding to is a comment we received after publishing our article. It came from an experienced person in the law enforcement field who agreed with our conclusion regarding the chain of custody issue, but who wished to remain anonymous. Two other similar comments from experienced investigation and law enforcement personnel were made by JNA & Associates, Investigative Consultants (who assisted EIN the preparation of our article) and police investigator, Malcolm Bright (see 3 May 2006).

Agendas like AJ's serve little useful purpose in the debate as they are easily identified and simply draw attention to inconsistency on the part of the complainer.

Cory: The burden of proof is on the people that believe the alive nonsense and that will not happen because there is no story to be proven. To even believe such a story you would have to suggest that the huge amount of people that it would have taken to pull off such a plot would have never said anything. This would have had to involve some people that had no connection to Elvis and just happened to be there. That would go against all conventional wisdom and human nature that after almost 30 years that nobody would have said anything.  
 
AJ: This would take only about 4 or 5 people. {some are dead now}  There have been people that talked, no one believed them. The burden of proof  that it was EP in that coffin will always be with the people that says it is. They left too many questions unanswered. Wisdom cannot be had without true facts. Human nature is to lie and protect.

Added 22 May 2006

Added 23 May 2006

Rhinestone: I hope that EIN holds Mr. Lacy's book to the same standards as it's done with Mr. Beeny's book.  I'll be interested in seeing how Mr. Lacy "proves" his claims.

EIN Response: We intend reviewing Elvis Decoded when it is released.

Added 26 May 2006

Brenda Forbes: After the darkness there is always light and that light shines brighter the second time around. Elvis is alive today as he was in 1954. Rock a hula, rock a hula...

Frank Simpson: I thought your article was thought provoking. Whether or not it answers the core question is questionable. Bill Beeny has a lot more knowledge of what happened than he is letting on.

Adele: There is no way Elvis is dead. Just listening to his new record you know its him. Noone but Elvis could have sung Suddenly as he does. He may be older now but we love him just as much as we did and we accept why he had to do what he did. As long as he is happy millions of fans will be happy.

Quote:

"Elvis Presley is the supreme socio-cultural icon in the history of pop culture"

(Dr. Gary Enders)

Quote:

"Elvis is the 'glue' which holds our society together....which subconciously gives our world meaning"

(Anonymous)

Quote:

"Eventually everybody has to die, except Elvis"

(humorist Dave Barry)

Quote:

"He is the "Big Bang", and the universe he detonated is still expanding, the pieces are still flying"

(Greil Marcus, "Dead Elvis")

Quote:

"I think Elvis Presley will never be solved"

(Nick Tosches)

Quote:

"He was the most popular man that ever walked on this planet since Christ himself was here"

(Carl Perkins)

Quote:

"When I first heard Elvis' voice I just knew I wasn't going to work for anybody...hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail"

(Bob Dylan)

Quote:

"When we were kids growing up in Liverpool, all we ever wanted was to be Elvis Presley"

(Sir Paul McCartney)

Quote:

"You can't say enough good things about Elvis. He was one of a kind"

(Johnny Cash)

Quote:

"And don't think for one moment he's just a passing fancy....he's got enough of it to keep him on top for a long time"

(R. Fred Arnold, Fury magazine, Aug 1957)

Quote:

"It isn't enough to say that Elvis is kind to his parents, sends money home, and is the same unspoiled kid he was before all the commotion began. That still isn't a free ticket to behave like a sex maniac in public"

(Eddie Condon, Cosmopolitan)

Elvis records reaching #2 & #3 on the Cashbox Pop Singles chart:

#2: A Fool Such As I (1959)

#2: A Big Hunk Of Love (1959)

#3: Hard Headed Woman (1958)

#3: One Night (1958)

#3: (You're The Devil) In Disguise (1963)

Elvis Facts:

Tickets for Elvis' show on March 29, 1957 in St. Louis cost $2.00 to $2.50

While in Germany Elvis was hospitalised with tonsillitis in October 1959

Despite being an illegal immigrant, photographic evidence shows Colonel Tom Parker traveled to Canada with Elvis in 1957

Elvis strongly believed there weren't enough good songs in King Creole to justify releasing a soundtrack album. RCA initially agreed, releasing two very successful EPs from the movie. A soundtrack LP eventually followed

During the 1960s Elvis had his own football team, Elvis Presley Enterprises, which played in the Menphis touch football league. In the 1962 final, EPE narrowlt lost to Delta Automatic Transmission. 6-13

In Clambake, (Elvis) Scott Hayward's driving licence shows February 23, 1940...taking 5 years off Elvis' real age

In the 1970s Elvis was ofered $5m to stage a concert in front of the Pyramids in Egypt. When the Colonel declined the offer, Saudi billionaires raised the offer to $10m