California closes probe into Presley Gerber’s Santa Monica sober home, finding no violations

Key points

• Presley Gerber, 27, died on September 20, 2026, at Resolutions Living in Santa Monica, California, shortly after checking in.
• A reform advocate filed a complaint with the California DHCS on September 23, questioning if the facility operated beyond its legal scope or admitted individuals requiring higher levels of care.
• DHCS concluded the complaint was 'not substantiated,' stating it found no activities constituting unlicensed substance use disorder treatment.
• The facility, founded by Dr. Reza Nabavi in 2013, is described as a $7.7 million residence providing mental health and addiction support.
• Gerber’s parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, released a joint statement expressing their grief, while his sister Kaia Gerber shared emotional tributes.

Background

This development follows earlier reports in late September and October 2026 regarding regulatory gaps in California sober living homes. Previous coverage highlighted that Resolutions Living lacks state regulatory oversight and that police responded to a separate overdose call at the same facility in February 2026. The current closure of the DHCS inquiry contrasts with ongoing police investigations into how drugs entered the unlicensed residence.

How outlets are covering it

Page Six and SheKnows both report that the DHCS closed the case without finding violations. However, Page Six provides additional detail, noting that the complaint specifically referenced a prior report suggesting Gerber did not appear sober upon admission, which raised questions about screening and level-of-care determinations. SheKnows focuses more on the family’s public statements and the emotional impact of the loss, whereas Page Six emphasizes the procedural aspects of the regulatory review and the facility’s background, including Dr. Nabavi’s licensing history.

Why it matters

The closure of the DHCS investigation highlights the limited regulatory scope for sober living homes in California, which are often unlicensed. While no violations were found in this specific case, the incident continues to draw attention to the lack of oversight in these facilities, particularly regarding the admission of individuals with acute needs. The ongoing police investigation may still reveal criminal negligence or other issues not covered by the DHCS’s licensing review.

What to watch

Police investigations into the circumstances of Presley Gerber’s death are expected to continue. There may be further public scrutiny of sober living regulations in California, especially given the previous overdose call at the same facility. The family may also face continued media attention regarding their statements and the handling of the situation.