Presley Gerber, the eldest child of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, has died at 27. He died Sunday at a rehabilitation facility. Santa Monica police are investigating the death as a suspected overdose but said there is no indication of foul play.
Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records list Gerber's death as occurring on September 20, according to USA Today. Santa Monica police said in a statement that detectives were investigating a suspected overdose and that “there is no indication of foul play,” NBC News reported. The medical examiner has not yet determined the official cause or manner of death.
How the death investigation may proceed
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner says determining the cause and manner of a sudden, violent or unusual death can involve an examination and additional testing. In some cases, the department issues an interim or deferred certificate before an amended certificate is completed. Toxicology findings are considered alongside investigative and medical reports before a final determination is made, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.
Deaths at residential treatment facilities have also prompted broader scrutiny in separate cases. A 2024 audit by the California State Auditor found that the Department of Health Care Services did not always conduct prompt compliance inspections or complaint investigations of residential drug and alcohol treatment facilities. Separately, the Los Angeles Times reported that a man’s 2010 death at a Murrieta residential facility led prosecutors to pursue second-degree murder charges against the treatment company and employees after a house manager allegedly fell asleep. Those cases involved different circumstances from the reported facts in Gerber’s death and do not establish what occurred at the facility where he died.
Gerber was the older brother of model Kaia Gerber, and the family has asked for privacy in the wake of his death. “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time,” a statement noted, per the same USA Today report.
A Model Career That Began at 15
Gerber signed with IMG Models at 15, according to USA Today, and worked on runways and advertising campaigns. ABC7 Bay Area reported that he walked for Moschino and Dolce & Gabbana during fashion week and appeared in campaigns for Calvin Klein. His public profile reflected both his work in fashion and his place in a prominent modeling family.
Speaking Publicly About Mental Health and Addiction
Gerber discussed mental health and substance abuse publicly, including during a February 2023 appearance on the Studio 22 podcast, according to USA Today. He also used Instagram for a video series called “Mental Health Mondays,” in which he addressed recovery and mental health awareness.
USA Today also reported that Gerber had written about taking time away to address his mental health. He spoke publicly about a 2018 arrest and later pleaded no contest, the outlet reported. By March, he had said treatment was helping him begin “finding my way back to myself,” according to Hola!.
Kaia Gerber's Reflections on Her Brother's Struggles
In a Vogue interview, Kaia Gerber described her brother's addiction as a struggle that had lasted about a decade and affected the family, according to USA Today. She said she had viewed herself as “the easy one” and had not asked for help with her own difficulties. Kaia also called her brother “an absolute teacher,” saying his willingness to discuss his experiences publicly had reached people dealing with similar problems.
Friends and colleagues in fashion and entertainment, including Brooklyn Beckham and Paris Hilton, have paid tribute to Gerber, according to Hola!. The investigation remains ongoing, and his family has asked for privacy.
