Elvis Presley's Grandson Benjamin Keough Dies by Apparent Suicide at 27
Editor's Note
If you experience suicidal thoughts or have lost someone to suicide, the following post could be potentially triggering. You can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741741.
Benjamin Keough, son of Lisa Marie Presley and grandson of Elvis Presley, has died by apparent suicide at the age of 27, according to TMZ, on Sunday. He was also the son of singer-songwriter Danny Keough.
“She is completely heartbroken, inconsolable and beyond devastated but trying to stay strong for her 11 year old twins and her oldest daughter Riley,” Lisa Marie Presley’s manager Roger Widynowski told TMZ. “She adored that boy. He was the love of her life.”
In 2012, Keough appeared with his other siblings and mother in an archival duet of Elvis Presley’s 1954 song “I Love You Because.” According to the Hollywood Reporter, Keough signed a record deal with Universal in 2009, but no albums were publicly released.
“He’s doing his own thing right now,” Presley said. “I’m going to let him decide when he wants to go out and do what he wants to do.”
Fans and friends reacted to Keough’s death on Twitter and shared condolences.
Everybody please pray for Elvis Presley’s family. They have had another terrible tragedy today.#Elvis #ElvisPresley #LisaMariePresley #BenjaminKeough
— Roy Orbison Jr (@Royorbisonjr) July 13, 2020
Sweet, sweet princess, what a terrible tragedy. @LisaPresley I have known you since before your mama gave birth to you, never dreaming you would have pain like this in your life. I’m so very sorry. ???????? I’m here.
— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) July 12, 2020
I just learned of the suicide death of Benjamin Keough, son of Lisa Marie Presley.
I did a movie with his sister, Riley in 2017 and thought the world of her. My heart goes out to all who loved him.
Don’t suffer in silence. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 https://t.co/bb7XdON57Z
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) July 13, 2020
Seriously shocked by the news of the death of #BenKeough. 27 years old, a loving wee soul, one of the #bhoys. Never forget our trip to #Celticfc park.. Hope ur singing #YNWA with your grandad, the king #ElvisPresley x will miss you pal Utter #Devastated #Coybig #BlowinBubbles pic.twitter.com/59e5DMSJPU
— Gianni Capaldi (@OfficialGianni) July 13, 2020
RIP TO THE HOMIE BEN KEOUGH HE WAS ALWAYS SO COOL TO ME HAD SUCH GOOD TIMES WITH HIM.
— RIP DIEGO I LOVE U LIL BRO (@RealYungYogi) July 13, 2020
If this news is hard for you, know you are not alone — and there is help for people who feel suicidal. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “START” to 741-741. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.
Header image via Lisa Marie Presley/Instagram
Renée Fabian was the features editor at The Mighty. She has also written for The Washington Post, VICE, Healthline, Talkspace, The Fix, The Establishment, The Culture Trip, and GRAMMY.com, among others. Renée was named a 2019 AHCJ Comparative Effectiveness Research fellow, a 2020 USC Center for Health Journalism California fellow, and holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and a master's degree in psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. You can follow her on Twitter @ryfabian.
reneeyfabian