Lisa Marie Presley is still grieving two years after the death of her son Benjamin Keough, revealing that she blames herself every day for his death.
On National Grief Awareness Day, the singer wrote an essay published in People Magazine to tell people the truth about grief.
She shared her painful experience because it is common for people to judge when a close family member dies in a “premature, unnatural, or tragic” manner.
Presley began her piece by saying she had already battled and beat herself up after her son’s death, and it was difficult for her to live with it.
She added:
“Others will judge and blame you too, even secretly or behind your back which is even more cruel and painful on top of everything else.”
The singer also admitted to blaming herself “every single day.”
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, who spoke to Fox News, Keough died from an “intraoral shotgun wound.”
The coroner ruled his death a “suicide” and found no evidence of foul play.
Keough died in July 2020 in Calabasas, California.
Brandon Howard, the singer’s friend, spoke out about the pressure he was under when he was alive.
He mentioned that his good friend “occasionally” struggled with depression and that he feels pressured to live up to the “Presley” family name.
He added:
“It’s a tough thing when you have a lot of pressure with your family and living up to a name and an image. It’s a lot of pressure.”
Keough was the son of Elvis Presley and Danny Keough, making him the grandson of the rock and roll legend Elvis Presley.
His family has been in the spotlight due to his sister Riley Keough’s work in the acting industry.
Despite his family’s celebrity, Keough led a quiet life, with only one acting credit for the short film “Rod & Barry.” In 2009, he reportedly had a $5 million record deal.
Presley previously revealed that her son bore an uncanny resemblance to his grandfather and that he was at the Opry when everyone “grabbed” him for a photo.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.