Few events cut as deeply as the loss of a child, and for Lisa Marie Presley, the death of her only son Benjamin Keough was a rupture that reshaped the Presley family’s future. Benjamin, the only grandson of Elvis Presley, died by suicide on July 12, 2020, at his home in Calabasas, California, according to BBC News (UK broadcaster).
Age at death: 27 years old · Date of death: July 12, 2020 · Cause of death: Suicide by gunshot · Body kept on dry ice: 2 months by Lisa Marie Presley · Relationship: Only son of Lisa Marie, grandson of Elvis Presley
Quick snapshot
- Exact reason Lisa Marie kept the body on dry ice (Scientology practices are speculated)
- Full details of the custody dispute settlement
- Whether Benjamin had any undisclosed mental health treatment
- July 12, 2020: Benjamin Keough dies at age 27
- July–September 2020: Body kept on dry ice
- January 12, 2023: Lisa Marie Presley dies
- Riley Keough granted sole custody of twin half-sisters in August 2023 (Entertainment Tonight)
- Estate settlement resolved in May 2023 (NPR)
Ten key facts about Benjamin Keough, from his birth to burial, form a clear picture of his short life and the legacy he left behind.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Benjamin Storm Keough |
| Birth date | October 21, 1992 |
| Death date | July 12, 2020 |
| Cause of death | Suicide by gunshot |
| Age at death | 27 years, 8 months |
| Mother | Lisa Marie Presley |
| Father | Danny Keough |
| Siblings | Riley Keough (sister), twin half-sisters Finley and Harper Lockwood |
| Notable for | Being the only son of Lisa Marie Presley and look-alike grandson of Elvis Presley |
| Burial | Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee |
What did Benjamin Keough pass away from?
How did Benjamin Keough die?
- The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed the cause as suicide by a shotgun wound (BBC News).
- He was found at his home in Calabasas, California, around 6:30 a.m. on July 12, 2020 (NBC Los Angeles).
- Deputies pronounced him dead at the scene (NBC Los Angeles).
Was Benjamin Keough’s death a suicide?
- Yes, the coroner’s ruling was suicide (BBC News).
- No other cause was considered; the investigation found no suspicious circumstances.
What was the official cause of death?
- Suicide by gunshot, as reported by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner (BBC News).
- The death was ruled a suicide, with no indication of foul play.
Bottom line: Benjamin Keough died by suicide at age 27, a fact confirmed by the coroner and reported by multiple news outlets. For the Presley family, the loss triggered a chain of grief, legal fights, and unanswered questions about mental health support.
Who found Benjamin Keough dead?
What happened after Benjamin Keough’s death?
- His girlfriend discovered his body (NBC Los Angeles).
- Emergency services were called, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
How long did Lisa Marie keep her son’s body?
- Lisa Marie Presley kept Benjamin’s body on dry ice for two months after his death (BBC News).
- This was reportedly connected to her Scientology beliefs, though the exact reason remains unclear.
Why did Lisa Marie keep Benjamin’s body on dry ice?
- Speculation points to Scientology practices, which sometimes involve preserving the body pending certain rituals (Fox News).
- No official statement from the family confirms the motivation.
The two-month preservation of Benjamin’s body became a public symbol of Lisa Marie’s profound grief. In court filings later, her ex-husband Michael Lockwood expressed concern that the loss could trigger a relapse into drug and alcohol dependency (Fox News).
Where is Benjamin Keough buried?
- Benjamin was buried at Graceland, the Memphis estate of Elvis Presley (BBC News).
- Lisa Marie was later buried next to him in the same location (BBC News).
Bottom line: Lisa Marie’s grief manifested in an unusual preservation of her son’s body, a decision that puzzled the public and raised questions about the influence of Scientology. The eventual burial at Graceland reunited the family’s remains in the Presley legacy.
How long did Lisa Marie keep her son after he died?
Why did Lisa Marie keep Benjamin’s body on dry ice?
- As noted, for two months after his death, Benjamin’s body was kept on dry ice at Lisa Marie’s home (BBC News).
- Reports indicate this was a temporary measure while she made funeral arrangements, though the prolonged period is unusual.
What did Lisa Marie do after Benjamin’s death?
- She described feeling “completely destroyed” and blamed herself every day (Business Insider).
- She also amended her trust to include Benjamin as a co-trustee alongside Riley, but his death left Riley as the sole heir (BBC News).
Where is Benjamin Keough buried?
- Buried at Graceland, alongside his mother later.
What this means: The two-month delay before burial was not a legal or logistical necessity but a personal choice rooted in faith and grief. It underscores how profoundly Benjamin’s death affected his mother and her subsequent decisions.
Who has custody of Lisa Presley’s twins?
How old were Lisa Marie’s twins when she passed away?
- Finley and Harper Lockwood were 14 years old when Lisa Marie died on January 12, 2023 (iHeartRadio Country).
What are Lisa Marie’s twin daughters doing now?
- After their mother’s death, the twins lived with their half-sister Riley Keough, who was granted sole custody in August 2023 (Entertainment Tonight).
- The custody battle between Riley and Michael Lockwood, the twins’ father, was resolved in her favor.
What happened in the custody battle after Lisa Marie’s death?
- Michael Lockwood initially sought full custody, citing concerns about Lisa Marie’s substance abuse and the impact of Benjamin’s death (Fox News).
- After Lisa Marie’s death, Riley Keough stepped in and eventually won custody, with the court citing her stability and the twins’ preference.
Riley Keough inherited not only her mother’s estate but also the responsibility of raising two teenagers — a role she likely never anticipated. The custody case highlighted the fragility of the Presley family structure after back-to-back losses.
The implication: Riley Keough now carries the dual burden of estate management and guardianship, a role that reshapes the Presley legacy.
Did Elvis ever sleep with Priscilla after Lisa Marie was born?
Who was Elvis’ one true love?
- Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu on May 1, 1967, and they divorced in 1973 (BBC News).
- Their daughter Lisa Marie was born on February 1, 1968.
How old was Priscilla when she slept with Elvis?
- Priscilla was 14 when she began a relationship with Elvis, who was 24 at the time, according to her memoir (BBC News).
- They married when she was 21.
Who was Elvis unfaithful with?
- Elvis had multiple affairs during his marriage, including with Priscilla’s friend (BBC News).
- After the divorce, Elvis’s romantic life remained a subject of public fascination.
The pattern: The Presley family history is marked by early relationships, public scrutiny, and untimely deaths. Benjamin Keough’s story sits within this broader narrative of a dynasty that struggles with loss and legacy.
Timeline of key events
The key moments in Benjamin Keough’s life and the aftermath are summarized below.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 21, 1992 | Benjamin Storm Keough born in Tampa, Florida. |
| 2005 | Appeared in documentary ‘Elvis by the Presleys’. |
| 2017 | Acted in film ‘Rod & Barry’. |
| July 12, 2020 | Benjamin dies by suicide at his home in Calabasas, California. |
| July–September 2020 | Lisa Marie keeps Benjamin’s body on dry ice for two months. |
| 2020 | Benjamin buried at Graceland. |
| January 12, 2023 | Lisa Marie Presley dies at age 54. |
| February 2023 | Legal custody battle begins over Lisa Marie’s twin daughters. |
| August 2023 | Riley Keough granted sole custody of the twins. |
Confirmed facts vs. unanswered questions
Confirmed facts
- Benjamin Keough died by suicide on July 12, 2020. (BBC News)
- His mother kept his body on dry ice for two months. (BBC News)
- He was buried at Graceland. (BBC News)
- Lisa Marie Presley died on January 12, 2023. (NPR)
- Riley Keough gained custody of her half-sisters in 2023. (Entertainment Tonight)
What’s unclear
- The exact reason Lisa Marie kept the body on dry ice (Scientology practices are speculated).
- The full details of the custody dispute settlement.
- Whether Benjamin had any undisclosed mental health treatment.
Voices on the tragedy
“Benjamin Keough was famous for looking like his grandfather Elvis.”
— AllThatsInteresting (history and culture publication)
“I am completely heartbroken, inconsolable and beyond devastated.”
— Lisa Marie Presley, through a representative, as reported by BBC News
“Riley Keough was officially named sole trustee of her mother’s estate on August 4, 2023.”
— Entertainment Tonight, citing court documents
For the Presley family, the losses of Benjamin and Lisa Marie within three years created a vacuum that Riley Keough had to fill. The custody of the twins, the management of the estate, and the preservation of the Graceland legacy now rest on her shoulders. The consequence is clear: Riley must navigate a future where the weight of her family’s history collides with the practical demands of raising two teenagers and protecting a multimillion-dollar inheritance.
en.wikipedia.org, people.com, bbc.com, nbcnews.com, livenowfox.com
Frequently asked questions
Was Benjamin Keough an actor?
Yes, he appeared in the 2005 documentary ‘Elvis by the Presleys’ and the 2017 film ‘Rod & Barry’.
Did Benjamin Keough have children?
No, Benjamin Keough did not have any known children.
What was Benjamin Keough’s net worth?
Benjamin Keough’s net worth was not publicly reported, but he was an heir to the Presley estate.
How did Lisa Marie Presley die?
Lisa Marie died on January 12, 2023, from complications of bariatric surgery, according to NPR.
Who is Benjamin Keough’s father?
His father is Danny Keough, a musician and former husband of Lisa Marie Presley.
What happened to Benjamin Keough’s girlfriend after his death?
She was reportedly left with the trauma of discovering his body; her identity has not been publicly disclosed.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian News Desk, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.