I apologize, it was his grandniece. Now that you mention it, I do recall her saying something about how he did not die from syphilis. I can't recall what she said he actually died from. Although I'm not sure I would believe anything she has to say considering her outlandish claims how the police killed 10 people, or however many, by machine gun to frame al capone, of which, i believe, he was never convicted for.