GERRIE Lawrie travelled to America to commemorate the death of her idol, but yesterday friends and family were mourning her death after the Scottish mother's body was found in a rented apartment in Memphis.
Ms Lawrie, from Aberdeen, was one of hundreds of Elvis Presley fans who converged on the city in Tennessee last week to mark the anniversary of the King's death on 16 August. It was her sixth visit to the annual Elvis Week, also known as Death Week,where Presley devotees hold a candlelit vigil at his former home, Graceland.
Ms Lawrie, 40, who travelled alone, was staying at a condo in Denmark Drive in the city centre. She picked up a hire car on arrival and was last seen by friends on 15 August. She was reported missing on Saturday when she failed to arrive home.
Yesterday, police in Memphis confirmed that a body found inside the condo building near where Ms Lawrie was last seen was that of the missing mother. Officers believe she took her own life. They are waiting for the results of toxicology tests.
Sgt Karen Rudolph of Memphis Police Department told The Scotsman: "The investigation is ongoing. At this point in the investigation no obvious signs of foul play have been displayed."
Earlier, a local newspaper, the Commercial Appeal, had reported that neighbours had heard screams coming from the building. There are already plans to honour Ms Lawrie in Memphis in January next year, during events celebrating Presley's 77th birthday.
One of the last people to see Ms Lawrie alive was Gene Barksdale, the former Shelby County Sheriff who met her at a fan gathering a few years ago.
He, Ms Lawrie and two others met for dinner at the Peabody Hotel in the city centre on 15 August, the night of the candlelit vigil.
Mr Barksdale, 89, later drove her to a parking garage and last saw her driving off along Union Avenue towards her accommodation.
Ms Lawrie, from Aberdeen, was one of hundreds of Elvis Presley fans who converged on the city in Tennessee last week to mark the anniversary of the King's death on 16 August. It was her sixth visit to the annual Elvis Week, also known as Death Week,where Presley devotees hold a candlelit vigil at his former home, Graceland.
Ms Lawrie, 40, who travelled alone, was staying at a condo in Denmark Drive in the city centre. She picked up a hire car on arrival and was last seen by friends on 15 August. She was reported missing on Saturday when she failed to arrive home.
Yesterday, police in Memphis confirmed that a body found inside the condo building near where Ms Lawrie was last seen was that of the missing mother. Officers believe she took her own life. They are waiting for the results of toxicology tests.
Sgt Karen Rudolph of Memphis Police Department told The Scotsman: "The investigation is ongoing. At this point in the investigation no obvious signs of foul play have been displayed."
Earlier, a local newspaper, the Commercial Appeal, had reported that neighbours had heard screams coming from the building. There are already plans to honour Ms Lawrie in Memphis in January next year, during events celebrating Presley's 77th birthday.
One of the last people to see Ms Lawrie alive was Gene Barksdale, the former Shelby County Sheriff who met her at a fan gathering a few years ago.
He, Ms Lawrie and two others met for dinner at the Peabody Hotel in the city centre on 15 August, the night of the candlelit vigil.
Mr Barksdale, 89, later drove her to a parking garage and last saw her driving off along Union Avenue towards her accommodation.
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