Lisa Marie Presley's son Benjamin Keough had taken cocaine and alcohol before killing himself, autopsy reveals
Lisa Marie Presley's son Benjamin Keough had cocaine and alcohol in his system at the time he ended his life in July this year. It is reported that he had even attempted to take his life a couple of months earlier.
Keough died at the age of 27 with a self-inflicted gunshot wound while he was at a party for his girlfriend's birthday at his mother's home in Calabasas on July 12. As per an autopsy report that was obtained by The Sun, the cause of death was confirmed as a shotgun wound with the manner of death being ruled as a suicide. Lisa, Keough and her twins Harper and Finley, 11, were living in a hotel after having recently moved out of their $1.8million home due to a mold problem at the time.
Keough had tested positive for alcohol and cocaine during the time of his death, The Sun's report reveals. On that fateful day, Keough's girlfriend Diana Pinto had gone to his bedroom to check up on him and was able to open up the locked door with a bobby pin. She entered the bathroom to find Keough lying unresponsive on the floor with a gunshot wound.
The authorities were called and Keough had been pronounced dead without any medical intervention. The report reveals how Keough had a "history of depression" and was "known to abuse alcohol and use illicit drugs, cocaine". He had been to rehab with his most recent stint being between four and five months over a three week period prior to his death.
He had been to rehab around three times but was only able to complete the program once. The report also states how Keough had attempted suicide five or six months before he took his own life and had suffered from "major depression" where he would remain in his room for "long periods of time". He allegedly did not seek out any medical treatment for his mental health issues. The report revealed that video footage showed a "possible verbal argument between the deceased and the girlfriend in the backyard of the residence." He then left to go to the bathroom following which an "apparent gunshot could be heard."
There was no suicide note found at the scene of the incident. At the time of his death, his mother Lisa released a statement via a rep where she 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," the statement continued.
A relative speaking to The Sun in July, referring to Keough's famous grandfather Elvis Presley, had said, "He was depressed, he didn't really have an education, a job or a passion, he was lost in life, and he has always been in his grandfather's shadow." "There has also been a lot of drama in the family in recent years, I think it was all just too much for him. It's unbelievable. It's heartbreaking. Ben was a force, an amazing kid," the relative continued.
Many social media users took to Facebook to express their condolences and thoughts on this development in Keough's death. One such user had written, "Sadly this disease of addiction can often be passed down. Sadly there will be some who says it isn’t a disease even though doctors and science say it is and they know more. Sadly society judges this disease and sadly because of this people don’t get the help they need."
Another user had shared, "So sad...praying for his mother..." Yet another commented and said, "God rest his poor soul."