As preparations get underway for Lisa Marie Presley's public memorial service, which will give friends and fans alike a chance to say goodbye to the late singer, her youngest daughters — 14-year-old twins Finley and Harper — are grappling with their grief in private. Their father, Lisa Marie's ex-husband Michael Lockwood, issued a statement to People on Thursday, offering some insight into how the girls are doing in the wake of such a devastating loss.
Michael said his daughters are still 'reeling' from their mother's unexpected death
Understandably, Finley and Harper were were not "prepared for" the "unexpected" and "incomprehensible" tragedy, he explained. Just two days after celebrating Austin Butler's win at the Golden Globe Awards (the actor portrayed Lisa Marie's father, music icon Elvis Presley, in the biopic Elvis), the 54-year-old died suddenly on January 12 from a suspected cardiac arrest. She leaves behind her twins, as well as 33-year-old daughter Riley Keough.
Michael is surrounding his daughters with love and support during this difficult time
"The most important thing to me at this time is to take care of my daughters, making sure they always feel safe and loved," said the 61-year-old guitarist, who was married to Lisa Marie from 2006 to 2016. "Both of them have incredible spirit and they will carry our family's legacy on for the rest of their lives."
And it sounds like the girls are bringing their dad just as much comfort as he deals with his own grief. "Since they were born, Harper and Finley have brought me profound joy and I remain devoted to them," he concluded his statement. "We ask for privacy at this incredibly difficult time."
The twins have been so traumatized by her death that they reportedly have refused to return to their family home
On Tuesday, TMZ reported that Finley and Harper can't bear to go back to the house where their mom suffered fatal cardiac arrest. Instead, they've been staying with their grandmother Priscilla Presley, who lives nearby in Los Angeles. Older sister Riley has been visiting frequently as well.
Lisa Marie was laid to rest this week
According to multiple outlets, she was buried in the Meditation Garden at Graceland, the iconic Memphis, Tennessee, estate once owned by her father. Riley's rep told Page Six last week that her mom would be placed next to her late son, Benjamin Keough, who died by suicide in July 2020 at the age of 27. Elvis and his parents, Gladys Presley and Vernon Presley, are also buried in the same location.
Lisa Marie's public memorial service is scheduled for January 22
According to Riley's rep, the service will take place on Graceland's front lawn at 9 a.m. It's expected that the estate, which spans nearly 14 acres and is now a national historic landmark, will be inherited by Lisa Marie's three daughters. Elvis purchased Graceland in 1957 for a modest $100,000, but the property is now estimated to be worth a cool $500 million.
