Crawford and Gerber families break silence with emotional tributes to Presley

Key points

• Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber, and Kaia Gerber posted a joint statement on Instagram on October 18, describing Presley as a 'sweet, beautiful soul.'
• Presley Gerber died on September 20 at a California rehab facility; the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner is investigating the death as a suspected overdose.
• Kaia Gerber shared a personal letter to her brother, recalling childhood memories and expressing that she is learning to love him without being able to reach him.
• Presley had a modeling career, signing with IMG Models at 15, and was open about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse.
• The Santa Monica Police Department stated there is no indication of foul play in Presley's death.

Background

Presley Gerber's death was first reported in late September 2026. Following his passing, George Clooney was photographed visiting the family's home, and former partners shared public tributes. The family had previously requested privacy, but broke their silence on October 18 with public statements.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian and USA Today focused on the joint statement from Crawford, Rande, and Kaia, emphasizing the family's heartbreak and gratitude for public support. Variety highlighted Kaia Gerber's detailed letter to Presley, noting her description of him as her 'ultimate teacher' and 'one true love.' BBC provided additional context on Presley's modeling career, noting his catwalk debut for Moschino at age 16, and mentioned his father Rande Gerber's business ventures, including co-founding Casamigos tequila with George Clooney. All outlets agreed on the basic facts of his death and the family's public tributes, but varied in the depth of detail provided about his career and personal life.

Why it matters

The public tributes from a high-profile family highlight the ongoing challenges of mental health and substance abuse, even among those with significant resources and public support. Presley's open advocacy for mental health awareness, including his 'Mental Health Mondays' series, underscores the importance of destigmatizing these issues.

What to watch

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner is expected to release an official cause of death after completing its investigation. The family has requested privacy, so further public statements may be limited.