Tragic reason why Elvis super fan's abandoned £325k 'mini Graceland' home was left to rot with vintage car graveyard outside

Daily Mail​

a day ago

The abandoned home of an Elvis Presley super fan has been left to rot after he tragically died from dementia.
John Turner spent 24 years creating his own mini version of Graceland – with memorabilia paying homage to the iconic singer adorning every wall.
He invested thousands of pounds cramming his five-bedroomed home, in Leigh, Greater Manchester with all things The King.
But John's most prized possessions were his Elvis autograph and a 1959 blue Cadillac, originally from Las Vegas.
Today, the house lies in tatters.
Neighbours said that John moved out of his home around a decade ago – opting to rent out the property complete with his Elvis shrine.
But the most recent tenant vanished abandoning the property and leaving all his possessions behind.
John moved into a care home after suffering with dementia and died last year.
The house, which has now been emptied and boarded up along with the cars removed, has recently been sold for a guide price of £325,000.
The detached house – set within its own grounds – has become a decaying shell.
AFTER: The vintage cars left behind by John's tenant were attacked with some broken into and others stripped of parts
Ceilings have collapsed after water poured through the roof and mould covers the walls where the pristine vintage record collection once took pride of place.
The flamboyant rooms and interiors are a dilapidated wreck and cluttered with junk.
Furniture, settees, TVs, jukeboxes and Elvis memorabilia have been damaged beyond repair – covered in a thick layer of dust and grime.
Furniture, settees, TVs, jukeboxes and Elvis memorabilia have been damaged beyond repair – covered in a thick layer of dust and grime.
The glitz and glamour of the Presley bar is no more but remains fully stocked with out-of-date booze.
Rotting food and drink sitting in the fridge fills the kitchen with a vile odour, while moth-eaten clothes still hang in the wardrobes. Stagnant water remains in the empty fish tanks.
The gleaming Cadillac – once parked proudly in the driveway – has been replaced with a graveyard of classic cars.
The impressive fleet, consisting of a Lotus Elise, two rare Toyota MR Mark 1, a classic Mercedes SLK 55 AMG and vintage Triumph, belonged to the tenant.
It is unclear why he left the valuable vehicles.
The tragic ending to the house was discovered by urban explorers. Since they posted footage online, the house has been targeted by looters, who ransacked the once impressive property.
Teenagers broke into the garages, causing mayhem for neighbours.
One resident said: 'The tenant lived there for years, and he loved his cars.
'He was obsessed and more and more would appear on the drive.
'Then one day he was gone. He just left leaving everything behind.'
Neighbours added that the house has stood empty for more than a year.
John spoke to the Daily Mail in 2008 about his obsession with Elvis.
He revealed how he regularly threw rock 'n' roll themed parties, with his friend and Elvis lookalike Ron Highley performing and trophy-winning dancers Glynn Dobinson and Joan Bibby jitterbugging under the mirror ball on the kitchen floor.
His home was a shrine to Suspicious Minds singer from coasters and cushions to life-size cardboard cut-outs standing on guard outside the toilet door.
John even built a Presley-themed bar – crammed with rock 'n' roll memorabilia – where he held rock n roll themed parties to entertain pals.
Neon signs illuminated the Presley bar, which housed an Elvis one-armed bandit.
There were also two original jukeboxes, a 1960 Rock-ola and 1955 Wurlitzer, took centre stage, and on top of the Wurlitzer sits an old Teddy once cuddled by the King on stage which John bought off the internet.
He said: 'I've been devoted to him since I first heard his music and that moment literally changed my life. I've been collecting Elvis stuff ever since.
'I've visited Graceland - his home in Memphis - three times, which I found fascinating. It was very emotional for me.
'I have a photograph of me crying at his grave.'
AFTER: Detritus from raves and squats is left strewn across the floor of John's living room
Elvis loved being at home in his mansion and similarly, John was happiest spending time in the house he bought in 1984.
John said: 'I've also enjoyed dressing the interior of the house and creating a look for each room.
'I call the hallway Rock and Roll Alley and I have the Presley Bar where I serve drinks and put on music for my friends.
'No matter how many unusual things I pick up on my travels I always seem to find a place for them.
'The rooms in the house have evolved and Elvis is the key to it all. I love having his image all around me. I just can't stop putting him up although I am running out of wall space!'
John added: 'The kitchen has been designed for dancing.'
'The sign above the archway says 'At The Hop' and that's exactly what it is.
'I stand behind the Presley Bar and keep the music playing. We have some great parties. Some of them stretch to three-day events.
'Friends bring their sleeping bags, we dress up and dance until we drop!'
'I love sharing the house with friends.