Woman dies in 105-degree heat at Presley vigil

Thousands of Elvis Presley fans braved 105-degree heat as they wound down Graceland’s driveway in a graveside procession Wednesday in advance of the 30th anniversary of the singer’s death.

The heat led to the death of a fan from New Jersey, a 67-year-old woman.

Despite the promise of another furnace-like day, some fans began lining up early in the morning for the candlelight vigil, setting up umbrellas and folding chairs on the sidewalk along four-lane Elvis Presley Boulevard.

The memorial was expected to run through the night and into today, the anniversary of Presley’s death.

The procession filed Graceland’s long, winding driveway and past Presley’s grave in a small garden beside the white-columned house.

Many fans carried flowers, stuffed toy animals and other small gifts to leave at the grave.

The body of the woman who died was found Wednesday afternoon inside a trailer at a Graceland campground. She had chronic health problems, but the Shelby County medical examiner’s office said that the heat contributed to her death.

The Memphis Fire Department said it also treated at least six people overcome by heat, including an 8-year-old boy who was hospitalized.

Tom Vigil, 42, of Denver was determined not to let the heat stop him even though he was missing part of a lung from recent surgery.

Decked out in a black Elvis-type jumpsuit, Vigil pulled an oxygen tank behind him with a breathing tube attached to his nose.

“I’m not in the best of health, but I wanted to be out here and be part of this,” he said.

Mary Powell of Salina, Kan., said she took up her post at 5 a.m. to be sure to get near the front of the line.

“A lot of people would say I’m crazy, but this has to do with my love for Elvis.

“He did so much for his fans,” she said.

The legendary entertainer, known as the King, died at age 42 of heart disease worsened by drug abuse.

The vigil is the most popular and solemn anniversary event in a weeklong string of concerts, dances, movie screenings and other festivities put on by Graceland.

The Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau estimated as many as 75,000 people would be drawn to town for the anniversary week.