Four men were accused of trying to steal the King of Rock and Roll’s body at Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.
Just weeks after Elvis Presley’s death, a shocking plot to steal his body for ransom was uncovered. On August 29, 1977, authorities arrested the would-be thieves, stopping the plan in its tracks.
The New York Times reported that four men were accused of trying to steal Presley’s remains. Memphis police had reportedly received tips regarding the planned kidnapping attempt. Therefore, they were made aware that the would-be grave robbers had scheduled a trial run of the heist ahead of time.
Per the Times, “Early this morning three men entered the cemetery over a back wall and made their way toward the white marble mausoleum. The men apparently became suspicious and turned to leave, the police said. They were then arrested.”
The informant who tipped police off was taken into custody. An attorney for the other three suspects claimed the entire plot was a “hoax,” and the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that charges against the men were ultimately dropped.
Presley was not the only family member initially buried at Forest Hill. The body of his mother, Gladys Presley, was also interred there after she died in 1958.
After the foiled kidnapping plot, Elvis’ father, Vernon Presley, petitioned to have his son’s and wife’s remains permanently moved to Graceland. According to PEOPLE Magazine, the family feared potential copycat criminals, prompting the decision to relocate them.
Mother and son were interred in the Meditation Garden, located in Graceland’s backyard. This area was initially built, per Presley’s wishes, to resemble the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine in California, per Architectural Digest.
The entertainer hired builder Bernard Grenadier to design the Meditation Garden. This area was used by the King of Rock and Roll as a place for quiet reflection.
Today, the garden remains a quiet space, where the bodies of Presley and his mother, Vernon, the king’s grandmother, Minnie Mae Presley, grandson Benjamin Keough, and his daughter Lisa Marie Presley are interred according to Graceland’s official website. Fans can tour the Meditation Garden and other areas of the home as part of a Graceland tour.