Presley Gerber Cremated as California Regulators Probe Rehab Facility
Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old model and son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, was cremated in Simi Valley, California, days after dying at a Santa Monica sober living home. While the cause of death remains under investigation, state regulators have launched an inquiry into the facility, Resolutions Living, over potential licensing violations.
Key points
- Presley Gerber was cremated at Rose Family Funeral Home in Simi Valley, according to a death certificate obtained by TMZ.
- Gerber died on Sept. 20 at Resolutions Living, a sober living home in Santa Monica, with police describing the incident as a 'suspected overdose' with no signs of foul play.
- The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) opened an inquiry into Resolutions Living after a complaint alleged the facility provided unlicensed addiction treatment services.
- George Clooney, a longtime friend and business partner of Rande Gerber, visited the family’s home in Los Angeles to offer support following the death.
- The LA County Medical Examiner’s Office has deferred the case, requesting additional testing to determine the specific cause and manner of death.
Background
Presley Gerber, born in 1999, was a professional model who debuted for Moschino at age 16 and walked for major brands including Burberry and Ralph Lauren. He was the only son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, and the brother of model-actress Kaia Gerber. Gerber had previously been open about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse, including a 2019 DUI arrest and public discussions regarding his use of prescription medications for panic attacks.
How outlets are covering it
Outlets emphasize different aspects of the story. USA TODAY and CNN focus on the confirmed cremation and the ongoing medical examiner investigation, noting that the cause of death is not yet confirmed. The Los Angeles Daily News highlights the regulatory angle, detailing a complaint filed by reform advocate Jennifer Turner that questions whether Resolutions Living, founded by Dr. Reza Nabavi, operated as an unlicensed treatment facility. Fox News shifts the focus to the personal impact on the family, reporting that George Clooney and Amal Clooney visited Kaia Gerber’s home to support Rande Gerber, noting Clooney’s close bond with Presley. While TMZ and USA TODAY confirm the cremation details, the LA Daily News and CNN provide context on the facility’s licensing status and the broader scrutiny of private-pay addiction treatment centers in California.
Why it matters
The death of Presley Gerber has intensified scrutiny of the regulatory framework surrounding sober living homes in California. The inquiry by the DHCS raises questions about the boundaries between unlicensed recovery residences and licensed treatment facilities, potentially leading to stricter oversight of private addiction recovery centers.
What to watch
The LA County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting additional testing to determine the cause of death. Simultaneously, the California Department of Health Care Services is investigating whether Resolutions Living violated state laws by providing unlicensed addiction treatment services. The outcome of these investigations may result in regulatory changes or legal actions against the facility.
- Presley Gerber cremated after death at treatment center: Report USA Today
- George Clooney rushes to Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford's side after son Presley's death Fox News
- Photos of Presley Gerber Through the Years, from a Baby on the Red Carpet to Walking the Runway People.com
- Rehab home where Presley Gerber died target of inquiry by California regulators Los Angeles Daily News
- Cindy Crawford’s son, model Presley Gerber, dies at 27 CNN
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on USA Today