California closes inquiry into Presley Gerber's sober home after finding no violations

Key points

• DHCS determined that Resolutions Living did not provide services requiring a state license, closing the inquiry initiated after a complaint filed on September 23.
• The complaint alleged the facility admitted Gerber while he was under the influence and provided care beyond its lawful scope, but DHCS found no substantiated violations.
• Presley Gerber, 27, died at the $7.7 million Santa Monica facility on September 20, just one day after checking in.
• Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber, and Kaia Gerber posted tributes on October 19, describing their loss as 'beyond heartbroken.'
• The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner lists the case as pending additional investigation, though Santa Monica police stated there is no indication of foul play.

Background

Presley Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, had been open about his struggles with addiction and mental health, including a 2019 DUI charge and a 2024 Instagram series called 'Mental Health Mondays.' Prior to his death, reports indicated that Resolutions Living had faced scrutiny for regulatory gaps, including a separate overdose call at the facility in February 2026. The facility, founded by Dr. Reza Nabavi in 2013, operates as a sober living home rather than a licensed treatment center.

How outlets are covering it

Page Six reported that the DHCS investigation concluded with no violations found, noting that the complaint focused on whether the facility provided unlicensed clinical monitoring or detoxification. The New York Times and Variety emphasized the family’s public tributes, highlighting the emotional impact on Crawford and sister Kaia Gerber. BBC reported that while the medical examiner’s office is still investigating, Santa Monica police have stated there is no evidence of foul play. All sources agree that Gerber died at the Santa Monica facility shortly after admission, but they differ in focus: Page Six highlights the regulatory outcome, while NYT, Variety, and BBC focus on the family’s grief and the ongoing police investigation.

Why it matters

The closure of the DHCS inquiry highlights the regulatory boundaries of sober living homes in California, which often operate outside the scope of licensed addiction treatment. The case underscores the challenges families face when seeking care for loved ones with severe addiction, as well as the ongoing scrutiny of unregulated recovery facilities following high-profile deaths.

What to watch

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner is expected to release a final cause of death report, though the case remains pending. Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding Gerber’s overdose continue, despite the lack of evidence for foul play. The family has requested privacy during this period, and no further legal action against the facility is anticipated given the DHCS findings.