The model and her husband paid tribute to their only son in a joint Instagram post, signed with their daughter Kaia. The cause of his death has not been officially determined.
Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber have spoken publicly for the first time about the death of their son, Presley Gerber, who died aged 27 on 20 September. The couple shared a black-and-white portrait of him on Instagram, saying they were “beyond heartbroken”. Presley was staying at Resolutions Living, a sober-living residence in Santa Monica, California, when he went into cardiac arrest. A suspected overdose has been reported, but a final cause of death must await the medical examiner’s toxicology results.
The family’s tribute
The post was captioned “Presley Walker Gerber July 2, 1999-September 20, 2026”. It was signed by Ms Crawford, Mr Gerber and Presley’s sister, Kaia.
The family wrote: “We are beyond heartbroken to lose our beloved son and brother. We feel so blessed to have had Presley in our lives for 27 years. He is a sweet, beautiful soul who loved and is loved, now and forever. We are so proud of how he showed up in the world, with kindness and vulnerability.”
They added: “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from so many who know and love our family and even strangers who feel our pain. Til we meet again our sweet boy. We love you forever, Mom, Dad and Kaia.”
According to People, the portrait was created by the photographer and artist Sebastian Faena. People also reported that the couple were photographed holding hands on Zuma Beach in Malibu on 10 October, in what it described as their first public outing since his death. They made no statement on that occasion. People also reported, citing unnamed sources, that George and Amal Clooney have been supporting the family. Mr Clooney co-founded Casamigos with Mr Gerber.
What is known about his death
TMZ reported that Presley had checked into Resolutions Living the day before he died, and that his sober coach had arranged a temporary place there over a weekend before a planned move to a rehab facility on the Monday. These accounts come from unnamed insiders.
The Daily Mail previously obtained audio of the 911 emergency call from the property. The first call was made at 9.35am on Sunday 20 September about a cardiac arrest, and within three minutes it was upgraded to an overdose, then upgraded again at 9.40am. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said Presley was pronounced dead at 9.45am on 20 September. The examination was completed on 21 September, but the cause and manner of death were deferred pending further tests, which can take several months. A suspected overdose is not an officially certified cause of death.
According to TMZ, citing a death certificate, he was cremated within days at the Rose Family Funeral Home, and his parents will reportedly keep his ashes at their home.
Investigations
The Los Angeles Times reported on 23 September that investigators were trying to find the source of drugs suspected of involvement in his death. No supplier has been publicly identified, and no arrest or charge has been confirmed. Police said at that stage that there was no indication of foul play.
The California Department of Health Care Services has opened an inquiry into Resolutions Living, according to the Los Angeles Daily News, after a complaint from an addiction-treatment reform advocate. Regulators are examining whether the residence provided services that required a state licence. Sober-living homes do not automatically need the same licence as treatment centres, but one may be required if a home itself provides regulated treatment. The inquiry does not establish any violation.
Presley’s openness about his struggles
Presley had spoken openly about a decade-long struggle with addiction and mental health problems. Last November, he said he was stepping back from social media to “take care of my own mental health for a bit”. A month later, he began posting “Mental Health Mondays” videos, in one of which he listed medication he takes for “night terrors” and “panic attacks”, saying his use of it had been “fluctuating up and down depending on what’s been going on in my life”.
Earlier this year he posted about a “pre-ibogaine flood dose” at a Mexican treatment clinic. Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive substance reported to help with withdrawal symptoms. His parents and sister praised his courage. Ms Crawford commented: “You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud!” Kaia wrote: “I’m so proud of you and your courage. Facing what’s hard takes real strength and watching you find your way back to yourself is everything. I love you so much.”
In June, People reported, he appeared with his parents at a mental health event in Malibu and spoke about how being open had helped him. In an August Vogue interview, Kaia said that her brother’s addiction had affected the family and that she had sometimes avoided asking for help so as not to add to her parents’ burdens.
