Elvis Presley's grandson Benjamin Keough dies aged 27, as Lisa Marie Presley is left 'heartbroken'

13 July 2020, 08:50

Lisa Marie Presley's son Benjamin Keough has died
Lisa Marie Presley's son Benjamin Keough has died. Picture: Instagram/Lisa Marie Presley/Getty

By Tom Eames

Lisa Marie Presley has spoken of her "heartbreak" after the death of her son Benjamin Keough.

Benjamin Keough - Lisa Marie's son from her first marriage to Danny Keough - is said to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 27 in California on Sunday, according to TMZ.

A spokesperson for Lisa Marie - who is also a mother to daughter Riley with Danny and 11-year-old twins Finley and Harper with her fourth husband Michael Lockwood - said: "She is completely heartbroken, inconsolable and beyond devastated but trying to stay strong for her 11 year old twins and her oldest daughter Riley. She adored that boy. He was the love of her life."

Read more: Lisa Marie Presley's life and family revealed

Benjamin kept a low profile throughout his life, but had several acting credits and was also a musician.

He was known for his strong resemblance to his late grandfather, Elvis Presley.

Benjamin Keough (second from right) with mother Lisa Marie in 2010
Benjamin Keough (second from right) with mother Lisa Marie in 2010. Picture: Getty

Lisa Marie had previously said: "Ben does look so much like Elvis. He was at the Opry and was the quiet storm behind the stage.

"Everybody turned around and looked when he was over there. Everybody was grabbing him for a photo because it is just uncanny."

In 2012, Benjamin and his siblings featured in a music video for Lisa Marie's 'duet' with her father of his 1965 song 'I Love You Because' using archive footage.

Lisa Marie has said in the past that she wouldn't have supported any of her children's celebrity ambitions if she didn't feel they were ready for it.

Talking about actress Riley, she said: "I felt like Riley had a really good head on her shoulders. If I had a child that did not, and didn't seem to be strong in themselves, I wouldn't allow it.

Priscilla Presley and Jerry Schilling interview with Angie Greaves

"Riley was absolutely like, 'I'm going to model for money and then I'm going to act, and then I'm going to be a director'. She had a plan and did everything she said she was going to do. I wouldn't do that though if I felt there was uncertainty or vulnerability or a weakness, I'd have them home until 18."

Lisa Marie Presley was married to Danny Keough from 1988 to 1994. She was also married to singer Michael Jackson from 1994 to1996, and actor Nicolas Cage from 2002 to 2004.

Her 2012 song 'Storm & Grace' is thought to be inspired by Benjamin, whose middle name was Storm.