I had heard that Presley died on the toilet, but I'd assumed the location was happenstance, as it was with Judy Garland and Lenny Bruce: an embarrassing setting for a standard celebrity overdose. But the straining-at-stool theory made some sense. With all three autopsies-that of J.W., Mr. K., and E., as Presley's intimates called him-the collapse was abrupt and the autopsy revealed no obvious cause of death. {Though Presley had traces of several prescription drugs in his blood, none was present at a lethal level.} What Elvis's autopsy did unambiguously reveal was a colon two to three times normal size.
The author reflects on the circumstances surrounding Elvis Presley’s death, initially thinking that dying in the bathroom was coincidental, similar to celebrities like Judy Garland and Lenny Bruce. However, the theory that Presley died while straining on the toilet becomes plausible given the details of his autopsy. Both the suddenness of his death and the findings revealed no clear cause, leading to speculation about the role of his colon size in the tragedy.
Interestingly, while traces of prescription drugs were found in Presley’s system, they were not at lethal levels. Instead, the autopsy revealed that his colon was significantly enlarged, two to three times its normal size. This detail shifts the focus from the drugs to the physical state of his body, adding complexity to the narrative of his unexpected passing.
