Presley Gerber dies at 27 in suspected overdose at Santa Monica rehab

Key points

• Gerber died at Resolutions Living, a sober living home in the Los Angeles area, on September 20.
• Santa Monica Police responded to a report of a possible overdose at 9:35 a.m. and found him deceased.
• The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner deferred the cause of death pending further testing.
• Gerber posted about undergoing ibogaine treatment in Cancun, Mexico, in March 2026.
• Ibogaine is a psychoactive compound used for addiction treatment but remains a Schedule 1 drug in the US.

Background

Gerber had been vocal about his mental health and addiction struggles, launching a 'Mental Health Mondays' initiative. His sister, Kaia Gerber, recently discussed his openness in a Vogue interview, noting how his honesty impacted the family dynamic. In April 2026, President Trump signed an executive order accelerating research into psychedelic treatments, specifically mentioning ibogaine, leading to the FDA's first US-based trials.

How outlets are covering it

USA Today and NBC News focus on the legal status of ibogaine and the recent executive order promoting its research. CNN highlights the family's grief and Gerber's modeling career. Page Six provides insight from sources close to the family, describing Gerber's internal struggles and the family's devastation. All sources agree on the suspected overdose and the ongoing investigation.

Why it matters

The death of a high-profile figure highlights the risks associated with unregulated addiction treatments like ibogaine and the complexities of recovery in a public eye. It also underscores the ongoing debate about the legal status and accessibility of psychedelic therapies in the United States.

What to watch

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner is expected to release the official cause of death after completing additional testing. The Santa Monica Police Department will continue its investigation into the circumstances surrounding Gerber's death.