Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of supermodel Cindy Crawford, passed away suddenly inside a California rehabilitation center. Emergency dispatchers reported that Gerber was unresponsive when first responders arrived at the facility on Sunday morning. Police are investigating the death as a suspected narcotics overdose. The Santa Monica Police Department stated that there was no indication of foul play at this time.
Gerber died Sept. 20 at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica. Paramedics pronounced him dead at 9:45 a.m. after emergency calls reported cardiac arrest and an apparent overdose. The Los Angeles Times reported that Gerber had checked into the facility at about 10 p.m. Saturday.
Authorities are working to determine where the drugs came from and who provided them, according to latimes.com. Police are attempting to trace the source of any drugs involved in the apparent overdose. However, authorities have not publicly identified a substance or a person who may have supplied it.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy on Monday morning. Officials have not yet determined the exact cause and manner of death, tmz.com reported. The medical examiner listed the cause and manner as deferred while additional testing and studies are completed. Officials said it could take several months before a final determination is made.
That distinction is important because an apparent overdose reported by police is not the same as an official medical finding. Toxicology testing can help determine what substances were in Gerber’s body when he died.
Gerber had been open about his struggles with mental health and addiction for years. He spoke on a podcast about helping others overcome emotional issues and shared his journey publicly. In a 2023 appearance on the Studio 22 podcast, he said helping even one person escape the kind of problems he had experienced would make sharing his story worthwhile.
His sister Kaia Gerber said the family adjusted their lives because of his addiction struggles. Kaia told Vogue that addiction affected the entire family and said she began seeing herself as the child who should not ask for help. She also praised her brother for being willing to speak publicly about what he was going through.
Celebrities paid tribute to Gerber after his death, describing him as kind and sensitive. Paris Hilton expressed her sadness on social media about the loss of her friend. She described Gerber as a “beautiful soul,” while other friends and celebrities also posted tributes.
Presley had undergone ibogaine treatment earlier this year, a substance that advocates say may help some people struggling with addiction but is not a cure-all. He posted about receiving what he called an “Ibogaine Flood Dose” in March while in Cancun, Mexico.
Ibogaine is a psychoactive substance derived from the iboga plant. It has attracted attention as a possible treatment for substance-use disorders. However, research remains limited and the substance can carry serious medical risks including dangerous heart rhythm problems. It is not approved as a medical treatment in the United States.
Bryan Hubbard, who is CEO of Americans for Ibogaine, explained the drug’s possible effects on neural pathways during an appearance on TMZ Live. He emphasized that ibogaine is not a magic pill and said people still need continuing support after treatment. Hubbard also discussed medical risks associated with the substance.
Gerber had previously posted a video showing himself receiving an ibogaine treatment. His parents and sister supported the treatment in their social media comments. Cindy Crawford called her son a “warrior” and said she was proud of him. Kaia also told him she was proud. His father Rande Gerber praised his courage and strength.
Gerber followed his mother into modeling as a teenager. He worked with major fashion brands including Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana and appeared alongside his sister in fashion campaigns. He also used social media in recent years to discuss mental health and recovery.
Gerber’s family confirmed his death through a representative and asked for privacy. He is survived by Cindy Crawford, his father Rande Gerber and his sister Kaia Gerber.
The investigation into his death is ongoing as police continue to investigate Gerber’s apparent overdose and attempt to track where and whom the drugs came from. The final cause of death will depend on the medical examiner’s findings rather than the preliminary circumstances reported by police.
IMAGE: Cindy Crawford Cannes 2013 Source Own work Author Georges Biard CC3