Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died Sunday, September 20, 2026, at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica, California. The Santa Monica Police Department is investigating his death as a suspected overdose, but the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has not yet released an official cause or manner of death, pending toxicology results and further investigation.
Here is what has been confirmed so far, what remains unknown, and the background on Gerber’s public and long-documented struggles with addiction and mental health.
What Happened to Presley Gerber
According to a statement the Santa Monica Police Department gave to multiple outlets, officers responded to a report of a possible overdose at approximately 9:35 a.m. on September 20, 2026. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male who was deceased. Responding paramedics pronounced him dead at 9:45 a.m. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner later identified the individual as Presley Gerber, 27.
A law enforcement source told NBC News that Gerber had checked into Resolutions Living, a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica, the night before, and TMZ reported he had been staying in a separate house on the property alongside several other people in treatment. Police have stated there is no indication of foul play.
The department’s statement was direct about what remains unresolved: “The official cause and manner of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.” An autopsy has been performed, but as of this writing, the medical examiner’s public report lists only the date and location of death, with toxicology results still pending, a process that routinely takes several weeks in Los Angeles County.
Why the Cause of Death Hasn’t Been Confirmed Yet
Medical examiner’s offices typically defer a final cause and manner of death ruling until toxicology screening is complete, especially in cases involving a suspected overdose. That process tests for the presence and concentration of drugs or alcohol in the system and can take anywhere from several weeks to a few months, depending on the jurisdiction’s caseload. Until that testing is finalized, investigators list the case as “deferred,” which is standard procedure rather than a sign of anything unusual about the circumstances.
Sources close to the family told TMZ that Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber, and Kaia Gerber have been informed that Presley’s death is believed to be the result of an overdose. That detail, however, comes from unnamed sources rather than the medical examiner’s official finding, so it should be treated as reported information rather than a confirmed cause of death until the county’s report is finalized.
The Family’s Response
A representative for Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber, and Kaia Gerber gave a brief statement to press outlets following news of Presley’s death: “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time.” Neither Crawford nor Rande Gerber has made an extended public statement beyond that request. Kaia Gerber, Presley’s younger sister and fellow model, has also not issued a public statement as of this writing.
Presley Gerber’s Career and Public Life
Presley Gerber was born in Beverly Hills, California, in 1999, the only son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, and older brother to model and actress Kaia Gerber. Like his sister, he followed his mother into the fashion industry, signing with IMG Models at 15 and making his runway debut for Moschino the following year. Over the course of his career, he modeled for Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, Celine, and Pepsi, and appeared in a Hugo Boss campaign in more recent years.
Fashion photographer Collier Schorr, who shot both Gerber siblings, wrote on Instagram that Presley was a “protective brother” to Kaia and recalled the pressure he seemed to feel while working in front of the camera. Tributes also came from friends outside the fashion world. Paris Hilton wrote on social media that she was “completely heartbroken,” calling Gerber “sweet, sensitive, kind and genuine.” Brooklyn Peltz Beckham also posted a tribute, describing Gerber as “the kindest.”
A Long, Public History With Addiction and Mental Health
Unlike many public figures, Gerber spoke openly and repeatedly about his struggles rather than keeping them private, which is part of why his death has resonated so strongly with people who followed his account.
In December 2018, at 19, Gerber was arrested for DUI in Beverly Hills after being pulled over for speeding. He failed a field sobriety test, pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge, and was sentenced to three years of probation along with a court-ordered DUI program and community service. In 2020, he got a tattoo reading “MISUNDERSTOOD” on his face, explaining in a livestreamed Instagram video that the word reflected how he had felt his “entire life.” He appeared to have the tattoo removed within about a year.
In a 2023 appearance on the Studio 22 podcast, Gerber spoke about the scale of his mental health struggles: “Having struggled with mental health, depression and some other things that come along with that, I think that whether I help one person or a hundred people get out of that place that I was in at one point in my life, that’s all I need to do.” Around that time, he began a recurring Instagram series called “Mental Health Mondays,” where he discussed coping strategies, therapy, and recovery.
In a video he later removed, Gerber said he had been prescribed medication, including buprenorphine, Xanax, and Valium, to manage panic attacks and night terrors, and said his medication needs had shifted depending on what he was going through in his personal life. He did not go into detail about specific losses, but described the pattern as something he wanted to be honest about rather than hide.
What Remains Unknown
Several key facts have not yet been confirmed. The official cause and manner of death await the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s completed toxicology report. It is not publicly known what substance or substances may have been involved, whether Gerber had recently relapsed, or how long he had been at the rehabilitation facility before his death. Resolutions Living has not issued a public statement. No funeral or memorial details have been announced.
A Note on Substance Use and Mental Health
Presley Gerber spent years using his platform to talk openly about addiction and mental health, hoping his honesty might help someone else. This is a sensitive topic, and if you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) offers free, confidential support and treatment referrals 24 hours a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Presley Gerber’s cause of death?
It has not been officially determined. The Santa Monica Police Department is investigating his death as a suspected overdose, but the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has deferred a final ruling pending toxicology results.
How old was Presley Gerber when he died?
He was 27.
Where did Presley Gerber die?
He died at Resolutions Living, a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica, California, where he had checked in the night before his death.
Who are Presley Gerber’s parents?
His parents are supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, co-founder of Casamigos tequila and the Gerber Group hospitality company.
Does Presley Gerber have any siblings?
Yes, his younger sister is model and actress Kaia Gerber.
Had Presley Gerber spoken publicly about addiction before his death?
Yes. He discussed his struggles with substance abuse and mental health for years, including a 2018 DUI arrest and a recurring Instagram series called “Mental Health Mondays.”
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