When Elvis Presley died on Aug. 16, 1977, at age 42, a sea of mourning fans came to pay their respects at Graceland, his mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. Fans were further devastated to learn his cause of death was a heart attack, which may have been related to his addiction to prescription barbiturates. The King's death has inspired decades of conspiracy theories, but more recently, the singer's stepbrother, David Stanley, made his own claims about Presley's death—asserting that he died by suicide. Following these statements, Presley's former fiancée Ginger Alden felt compelled to speak out. Read on to find out why she called Stanley's statements "a complete garbage story."
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Stanley's comments are featured in a new documentary series.
Copyright @davidestanley / InstagramIn the new Prime Video documentary series Elvis' Women, Stanley alleged that Presley "premeditated the medications that killed him," per the Irish Mirror.
The docuseries—which premiered in May in the U.K. and parts of Europe (it's not currently available in the U.S.)—follows Presley's relationship with Priscilla Presley, but also features interviews with women who claim they were pursued by the rockstar when they were younger. In the series, Stanley alleges that, leading up to his death, Presley "couldn't carry on" due to fears that these purported relationships with younger girls would be revealed in a book.
“His taste for young girls, aged 15 or 16, made me sick,” Stanley—whose mother was married to Presley's father—claims in the docuseries. "I told him that it's a miracle he didn't get busted. He got away with things most people didn't, because of his money, fortune, fame and power, charisma and magnetism. Elvis could talk the socks off of you."
Stanley adds that Presley's death was prompted by "love, hurt, pain, exposure—he just couldn't take it anymore."
Best Life reached out to Presley's estate for comment, and will update the story upon hearing back.
Elvis' ex called Stanley's statements "garbage."
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty ImagesAfter learning about the comments, Presley's former fiancée Ginger Alden had a few choice words for Stanley.
"Unfortunately Elvis’ step-brothers have changed stories and even fabricated some tales I know to be false over the years,” she told Page Six. "One brother [of the three] later created a complete garbage story about suicide years back and it looks like he resurfaced with it again."
Alden said Presley "loved life far too much."
Inside EditionAlden and Presley were engaged after just two months of dating in 1977, with their wedding date set for Christmas Day the same year, Page Six reported. Alden told the outlet that they picked the date earlier in the day on Aug. 16, and that Presley was "looking forward to marriage and announcing our engagement at his last show in Memphis, which didn't get to happen."
Tragically, Presley's fiancée found him unresponsive after his heart attack. But when it comes to allegations that his death may have been self-inflicted, Alden stressed that Presley had a zest for life.
“Elvis loved life far too much,” Alden said. “His daughter [Lisa Marie Presley] was nearby, my niece was with her, I was there and his father was home. There was absolutely nothing to indicate suicide, NEVER any ‘letter.'”
Alden, who penned a 2014 memoir titled Elvis & Ginger, further dismissed Stanley's statements as gossip.
“It isn’t true and simply tabloid gossip," she told Page Six. "Elvis deserved so much praise in his life for all that he accomplished and did for others and this is how he is repaid, which is shameful.”
After denying his statements, Stanley issued a mea culpa.
Keystone / Getty ImagesStanley initially denied his controversial comments in a since-deleted Facebook post, Page Six reported. "I never said that and anyone who believes I would say such a horrible thing is a fool," he wrote. However, he later changed his tune.
In a June 27 Instagram post, Stanley addressed "all the Elvis Fans and associates" that follow him on social media.
"I am sorry for the derogatory comments I made in a documentary about Elvis that was filmed last year," the Instagram caption reads. "There is no excuse for my comments and I can fully understand why you would be angered. I love and will always love Elvis and being part of his family. He is more than worthy of the love you have for him. He loved you. I love you and all I can ask of you is for you to forgive me for my irresponsible actions."
