Crawford, Gerber Family Mourn Presley Gerber in Public Tributes

Key points

• Presley Gerber died on September 20 at a rehabilitation facility in California at the age of 27.
• Cindy Crawford posted a tribute on Sunday, describing Presley as a 'sweet, beautiful soul' and expressing that the family is 'beyond heartbroken.'
• Kaia Gerber shared a separate tribute, including a video of the siblings as children and a letter describing her brother as her 'ultimate teacher' and 'great protector.'
• The Santa Monica Police Department is investigating the death as a suspected overdose, while the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner lists the case as pending additional investigation.
• Presley Gerber had previously spoken openly about his mental health struggles and addiction, including a March 2026 post about undergoing an ibogaine treatment in Mexico.

Background

Presley Gerber was the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, and the older brother of model Kaia Gerber. The family had been private in the weeks following his death, with Crawford and Rande making their first public appearance together on October 10. Presley had a history of public struggles with addiction, including a 2019 DUI charge and a 2024 Instagram series called 'Mental Health Mondays.'

How outlets are covering it

BBC and Fox News reported the family's public tributes and the ongoing police investigation into a suspected overdose. Variety highlighted Kaia Gerber's emotional letter and Presley's past modeling career, while Fox News detailed his recent use of ibogaine treatment. All sources agreed on the date of death and the family's public statements, but differed in emphasis: BBC focused on the family's grief, Variety on Kaia's tribute, and Fox News on the medical and legal aspects of the death.

Why it matters

The death of Presley Gerber highlights the ongoing challenges of addiction and mental health in high-profile families, and the scrutiny surrounding rehab facilities. The public tributes from Crawford and Gerber have drawn attention to the family's grief and the need for privacy during such tragedies.

What to watch

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner is expected to release further details on the cause of death as the investigation continues. The family has requested privacy, and no further public statements are expected in the near term.