When Elvis Presley died at 42, the world mourned a legend; Vernon Presley mourned his son. The man who had once managed Elvis’s career, traveled at his side, and watched him conquer the world now had to identify his body and face a future without him. Three days later, Vernon stood before reporters, frail yet determined, thanking fans and media while his heart quietly broke. Outside Graceland, grief turned tragic as two young girls lost their lives, deepening his sorrow.

In the chaos that followed, Vernon was dealt a final, cruel blow: a relative secretly photographed Elvis in his casket and sold the image, exploiting the very love that had gathered to say goodbye. Fearing grave robbers, Vernon later ordered Elvis and Gladys moved to Graceland’s Meditation Garden. Two years on, his own heart gave out. Today, father, mother, and son lie side by side, forever bound to the home they built together.