 Makeshift memorial dedicated to Parsons in Joshua Tree National Park | |
| Date | September 19, 1973 (official record) |
|---|---|
| Time | 00:15 (official record) |
| Location | Joshua Tree Inn, near Joshua Tree National Park |
| Cause | "Drug toxicity, days, due to multiple drug use, weeks" |
| Burial | 1973 at Garden of Memories Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana |
Gram Parsons died on September 19, 1973, in room eight of the Joshua Tree Inn, near Joshua Tree National Park. Encouraged by his road manager Phil Kaufman, Parsons again visited the park after completing his latest recording sessions. Earlier, he had confessed to Kaufman his wish to be cremated and his ashes scattered in the park in case he died.
Parsons traveled to Joshua Tree with Michael Martin (his assistant), Margaret Fisher (Parsons' high school girlfriend), and Dale McElroy (Martin's girlfriend). Parsons spent time in the desert during the day and at local bars at night, consuming barbiturates and alcohol every day. On September 18, after being injected with morphine, Parsons overdosed. On September 19, he was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Following Parsons' death and in order to fulfill his desires, Kaufman and Martin arrived at Los Angeles International Airport in Martin's personal Cadillac Hearse impersonating mortuary workers. Under the impression that the pair had been hired by the Parsons family, Western Airlines released the body to them. They then took it to Joshua Tree and set it on fire. The burning casket was reported by campers to the local authorities, who investigated the incident and identified both perpetrators.
Parsons' body was partially cremated. His charred remains were recovered and returned to his family. Meanwhile, Kaufman and Martin were accused of grand theft and fined for burning the casket, while they also had to pay for Parsons' funeral. Parsons' remains were later buried in New Orleans at Garden of Memories on Airline Highway.