Mother of St. Jude Patient Calls Graceland Hateful

We brought you this story yesterday about the Mackenzie family who were robbed outside Graceland on Christmas Day. The family is in Memphis while their 13 year old son, Dustyn is being treated at St. Jude Children's Hospital for leukemia.

Shannon MacKenzie said her son gave Memphis police a description of the man, who has not been identified.

"He said after he took my purse, he turned around and started laughing about it," MacKenzie said. She said she was not sure which aspect of the incident was more painful.

Even more discouraging, MacKenzie said officials at Graceland have not been very helpful to her.

"They've been hateful," MacKenzie said. "They said they didn't want this kind of publicity and did not file an internal report like they were supposed to."


MacKenzie said Graceland officials provided video surveillance to authorities in Memphis, but said the footage was poor. She said after the incident, she and her family have sworn off visiting any other parts of the city.

"We just go to the hospital and back to where we are staying," MacKenzie said. She said authorities have kept her updated on the incident.

MacKenzie said when the thief stole her purse, he also took a cellphone, cash, prescription medication, Dustyn's St. Jude information, credit cards and a food stamp card. She said police have located and returned the phone to her, and the thief used some of the cards.

"They said they think he still has the food card," MacKenzie said. "If he uses that, we should be able to find him."

Calls and emails to the Memphis Police Department were not returned.

If it's true Graceland staff said this would be bad publicity, treating a St. Jude family this way is far worse publicity! And just so unElvis like!

Many of us often think we are safe by Graceland especially by the gates. It's Elvis' house and we are surrounded by fans, right? NO! We are surrounded by criminals in a high crime area. Be alert! It was not long ago that a family was car jacked at the gates. So while it is understandable, Graceland would not want to advertise the crime rate in the area, it's not exactly good for business. They still have a responsibility to make the area safe. They are encouraging people to travel from all over the world to patronize their business and therefore, they owe it to the public to make it safe. Graceland has yet to comment so we can not put them on blast yet. Let's just hope that this latest crime is an eye opener. Let's hope a murder or violent crime does not have to occur before something is done. God forbid.

Just at the end of the Graceland wall is a very dark small alley where I have personally witnessed a night walker or two crawl out of, that needs to be addressed. As well as more cameras (and better equipment considering this footage was such bad quality), more lighting, signs posted to not leave cars unlocked, unattended. And instead of guards sitting in the guard shack all night, they should come out and greet people who drive up to the gate at night. Their presence alone would deter criminals from hanging around the gates and keep visitors safe.

If you are traveling to Memphis for the birthday celebration, be alert and very aware of your surroundings at all times!

St. Jude Patient's Family Robbed @ Graceland

Source: Zack Southwell - News Star / Megan Murphy - Back in Memphis