Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died on Sunday, September 20. His death was confirmed by a family representative in a statement provided to People. Gerber, a model and mental health advocate, passed away at a rehabilitation facility located in Santa Monica, California. Paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced him dead at 9:45 a.m.
"The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time." Family Representative, Statement to People
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has confirmed Gerber's death. An autopsy was performed on Monday, following his passing. However, the official cause and manner of death have been deferred pending additional testing and studies. Authorities indicated that a final determination could take several months to complete. The Santa Monica Police Department has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Preliminary emergency dispatch records referenced a suspected overdose and cardiac arrest, but these classifications do not establish an official cause of death.
Presley Gerber followed in his mother's footsteps, signing with IMG Models at the age of 15. His runway debut for Moschino came the following year, quickly leading to appearances for prominent fashion houses and brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Burberry, and Celine. He also appeared alongside Cindy Crawford in a Pepsi Super Bowl commercial in 2018. The Gerber family, which includes his younger sister Kaia Gerber, a model and actress, had occasionally worked together in fashion campaigns while largely maintaining their private lives.
In recent years, Presley Gerber had become increasingly open about his personal struggles with depression, panic attacks, and addiction, as well as his experiences with treatment and recovery. He utilized social media to launch a series titled "Mental Health Mondays," which he stated was intended to foster honest conversations about subjects often kept hidden. During a 2023 appearance on the "Studio 22" podcast, Gerber expressed his hope that by sharing his journey, he could help even one person navigate similar emotional challenges. He also posted videos discussing recovery strategies, medication, and his efforts to establish healthy routines; some of these posts were later deleted but had been reported by various media outlets.
His sister, Kaia Gerber, addressed her brother’s decade-long battle with drug addiction in an August interview with Vogue. She noted that such experiences "kind of levels everyone" within a family. Kaia also shared that her brother's struggles led her to perceive herself as the "easy" child, making her hesitant to seek help from her parents for her own issues. Despite the difficulties, she praised Presley for his willingness to speak openly, describing him as a "teacher" who demonstrated the importance of acknowledging difficult experiences rather than concealing them.
Presley Gerber is survived by his mother Cindy Crawford, father Rande Gerber, and sister Kaia Gerber. As of Monday, no public announcements regarding funeral or memorial arrangements had been made. Authorities have not publicly indicated any evidence of foul play or officially attributed the death to an overdose, suicide, or any other specific cause. The investigation remains active, and the medical findings are pending, with the Gerber family requesting privacy during this profoundly difficult period of mourning.
