Presley Gerber passed away on Sunday night at a rehab facility. Gerber was only 27 years old, and he had been quite open about his drug addiction and his efforts to get clean. From what we can tell, he had been in and out of rehabs and treatment facilities for several years. Because he passed away at a rehab center, presumably seeking treatment, there’s a police investigation and what sounds like a comprehensive autopsy. The authorities released some of their early findings on Monday:
Further details of the death of Presley Gerber — son of model Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber — have been revealed.
Per recordings obtained by PEOPLE, a call was dispatched to Santa Monica, Calif. police on Sept. 20 for a cardiac arrest in the 1000 block of Berkeley St. at 9:35 a.m. with another dispatch revealing that first responders were responding to an overdose at the address.
Presley died at age 27 at a rehab facility, according to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records obtained by PEOPLE.
In a statement shared Monday, Sept. 21, the Santa Monica Police Department revealed that officers discovered Presley dead upon their arrival at the facility.
Santa Monica Police Detectives “are investigating the death as a suspected overdose,” the statement continued. “At this time, there is no indication of foul play. The official cause and manner of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. The investigation remains ongoing.”
In a separate statement shared shortly thereafter, the Medical Examiner’s office added that they were in “the early stages of investigating” Presley’s death, and that “limited information is currently available.” An autopsy was performed on Monday, but “the cause and manner of death have been deferred, which means additional testing and/or studies were requested in order to make a determination,” the statement continued.
“Due to the ongoing death investigation, the [Department of the Medical Examiner] cannot disclose what testing and/or studies were requested. Deferred cases can take a few months before a cause of death is determined.”
The Medical Examiner told PEOPLE earlier on Monday that Presley’s death was under investigation, adding, “Death was pronounced at 09:45 hours on September 20, 2026, by responding paramedics. The Santa Monica Police Department is the investigating law enforcement agency.”
A representative for the family told PEOPLE, “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time.”
Was it a situation where Presley relapsed and then immediately sought treatment while he was still under the influence of a drug? Like, he checked into rehab high? Or was in treatment and somehow he got drugs within rehab? I mean, that’s why they’re investigating. I would assume the medical examiner’s delay is about running full blood panels too, they’re trying to figure out exactly what was in his system and what was responsible for the cardiac arrest. Meanwhile, family friends spoke to People Magazine about how the family is holding up:
Presley Gerber’s family is mourning his death at age 27. The model’s parents, Cindy Crawford, 60, and Rande Gerber, 64, and his sister, Kaia Gerber, 25, are “in total shock” following his tragic passing, a source close to Kaia tells PEOPLE.
“The family is in total shock right now. They are saddened beyond words,” the source says. “Kaia loved that Presley was so open about his struggles; his family was so proud that he was finding strength in helping others.”
A second source who has been close to Crawford tells PEOPLE that Crawford and Rande were consistently involved in their son’s life throughout his years-long struggles.
“This was never a situation involving two absent Hollywood parents,” the source says. “Cindy and Rande could not have been more supportive of Presley. They were always there for him and did everything they could to help him. The family has always been incredibly close, and Presley was deeply loved.”
The source says Presley’s journey included periods when he appeared to be doing well, followed by setbacks. “It was very up and down,” the source says. “There were times when Presley was doing really well. A few years ago, he was working at the family restaurant in Malibu and seemed to be in a good place. That is what makes this so heartbreaking,” the source adds. “His family never stopped supporting him, loving him and hoping that he would be okay.”
I believe that Rande and Cindy were very involved parents and that they spent years trying to figure out the best way to support Presley. I’m sure they’re absolutely gutted. Kaia as well – she adored her brother.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Cover Images.
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- (FILE) Presley Walker Gerber Dead At 27. He was the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, and the brother of model and actress Kaia Gerber. Presley died on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at a rehab facility, according to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records obtained by PEOPLE. TMZ was first to report the news. BEVERLY GROVE, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – JANUARY 20: Presley Walker Gerber arrives at the Los Angeles World Premiere Of CJ 4DPLEX’s ‘Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir’ held at AMC The Grove 14 on January 20, 2026 in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 1068313358, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no , Pictured: Presley Walker Gerber , Credit line: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon
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- Rande Gerber, Cindy Crawford, Kaia Gerber and Presley Gerber arrive at The Fashion Awards 2018 In Partnership With Swarovski at Royal Albert Hall on December 10, 2018 in London, England. USA, OZ, NZ, SOUTH AFRICA, JAPAN, AND CHINA ONLY Photograph: © CRYSTAL/PacificCoastNews. Los Angeles Office (PCN): +1 310.822.0419 UK Office (Avalon): +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 sales@pacificcoastnews.com,Image: 534869196, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: USA, OZ, NZ, SOUTH AFRICA, JAPAN, AND CHINA ONLY – Los Angeles Office (PCN): +1 310.822.0419 UK Office (Avalon): +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 sales@pacificcoastnews.com, Model Release: no , Credit line: CRYSTAL/PacificCoastNews/Avalon
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- Presley Gerber at the Los Angeles World Premiere Of CJ 4DPLEXâ€s ‘Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir†held at AMC The Grove 14 on January 20, 2026 in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 1068521650, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no , Pictured: Presley Gerber , Credit line: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon
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- Los Angeles, CA According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Presley died Sunday at a rehab facility. An autopsy has yet to be completed. Pictured: Cindy Crawford, Randy Gerber, Kaia Gerber, Presley Gerber BACKGRID USA 20 SEPTEMBER 2026 BYLINE MUST READ: Juan Rico / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Los Angeles, CA – May 20, 2026 Kaia Gerber sweetly hugs brother Presley at May event in last public event together before his passing. Presley supported his little sister at the May launch event for RE/DONE’s “Short/Cuts”. Pictured: Kaia Gerber, Presley Gerber BACKGRID USA 21 SEPTEMBER 2026 BYLINE MUST READ: BFA.com / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Rande Gerber, Cindy Crawford, Kaia Gerber and Presley Gerber attend The Fashion Awards 2018 at The Royal Albert Hall. London, UK. 10/12/2018 Where: London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland When: 10 Dec 2018 Credit: Ik Aldama/picture-alliance/Cover Images
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- North America Rights Only – Paris, France -20180117- YSL Beauty Party During Paris Men’s Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2018-2019 -PICTURED: Presley Gerber -PHOTO by: INSTARimages.com This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded Featuring: Presley Gerber Where: Paris, France, France When: 17 Jan 2018 Credit: INSTARimages.com **North America Rights Only**
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- , New York, NY – 20190604 Guests attending CFDA Fashion Awards arrivals at the Brooklyn Museum. -PICTURED: Presley Gerber -PHOTO by: Kristin Callahan/ACE PICTURES/INSTARimages.com -060319_CFDA_K0056 Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing Featuring: Presley Gerber Where: New York, New York, United States When: 03 Jun 2019 Credit: Kristin Callahan/ACE PICTURES/INSTARimages.com
Whenever I hear of 😱 regarding public figures children…I always think of how in the 60s Angela Landsberry & her Husband IMMEDIATELY got their teen kids out of Malibu & ran to the Ireland because their young daughter & son was hanging around the Manson family…and it saved them…
That environment😭…my G-D…what that environment does to the vulnerable where Love isn’t enough to save you💔
I’ve been to rehab twice. Once in South Africa. Once in Thailand. Never in America but things work pretty much the same way wherever you are when it is a high-end facility. FWIW, both stays were my choice. One led to a decade of sobriety. The second came two years after that decade ended when I started drinking again to self-medicate PTSD after a serious crisis.
It is very common for people to check into rehab high/drunk. One last fling before getting clean. Good rehabs, like the one I’m sure he was in, have medical staff, including a fully licensed MD and licensed nurses, that check vitals multiple times a day, especially while the patient goes through medical detox. Every stay starts with a full medical screen including a urine test and an extensive search of belongings being brought into the facility. If he was at risk of death when he checked in, he likely would have been transfered to a hospital.
It is extremely common for drugs to get into rehabs. Visitors bring them, deals are made with dealers who can literally throw them over a wall at an agreed place, etc. Access gets significantly easier when someone has ‘graduated’ to a sober living facility where they have more freedom.
One of my more recent YouTube binge tests was watching vids of parents who lost kids to drugs laced with fentanyl. Not only is addiction on its own a killer but drugs today are a Russian roulette. I think The Pitt did something about this last season. While we obviously don’t know, it is more than possible that he thought he was taking something relatively harmless like a little bit of Xanax to take the edge off.
this reflects my experience in dealing with people with drug addictions. ODs in rehab are not uncommon. drug hunger is a real thing. hard to imagine that he wasn’t on suboxone unless he checked in high. sad sad sad
Hayden Panniterrie thought she was taking a pain pill for her ongoing medical issue, before flying back home to L.A.. Turned out it was laced with Fentanyl. That’s what caused her cardiac arrest/killed her.
And those two kids were pushed into the modeling world at 15, such a dark & scary environment, but must have felt a huge obligation to live up to the family name. I remember reading that the daughter would phone home and ask them to just leave the line open so she could listen in to the sounds of home.
The daughter was only 13 when she did some high ended fashion House photo spread. It always struck me that she would allow he young children to get involved in a slimy industry. She was with Elite and Casablancas for goodness sake. Head scratcher
I’m gonna defend them a little bit here (but not too much lol) because I do think it’s possible to support your kids’ passions and also be an engaged, devoted and attentive parent, which by all accounts describe Rande and Cindy. Cindy is someone who has a lot of connections in the modeling industry combined with decades of experience so in many ways, she was the best person to help her kids navigate a scary industry. Presumably, she would know which people are of good character and steer her kids towards them and other supportive, well-intentioned people.
Would it have been nice if they raised their kids away from the entertainment industry and encouraged them to purse a more *normal* life? For sure. But I’m sure both parents are beating themselves up about their parenting choices, wondering what they could have done differently to avoid this tragic outcome. I guess I don’t feel a need to pile on when they must be absolutely swimming in despair right now.
I think a “bad batch” got out this weekend. I checked LA and 3 other medical examiner websites and I counted 15 young people deaths Fri, Sat and Sun
That’s what got Janis Joplin as well. Her death surprised people, because she was considered a careful drug user. But a bad batch that claimed several people in LA that weekend got her.
Been following Cindy most of my life. Some friends knew her growing up. She always seemed fairly normal. Can’t imagine what she’s going through. Dark, dark, dark.
According to the law enforcement source, police are attempting to track where and whom the drugs came from.
It’s not a healthy environment—just like Hollywood. “Nepo babies” aren’t any safer there than unknowns. Cindy knew this, likely because she’d been through terrible things herself. I think women cope better psychologically with sexual harassment and rape. I suspect both Presley and his sister faced abuse more than once; she somehow manages to live with it, whereas he couldn’t handle it. It comes down to a lot of factors. In my opinion, it’s impossible to work in this industry for years without encountering creeps—even if you have famous parents.
I have a brother who’s two years older than me and my best friend. Just thinking of him not being here makes me tear up.
I feel so terrible for their family, who will never be the same after this tragedy.
My dad had everything inspected his shoelaces taken away when detoxing. He was in a crummy rehab paid for by insurance. My guess is these rehabs in CA are more posh and more lax…. TMZ said it is more spa-like; not like the common person’s rehab….
he was in a house rather than the detox floor with medical surveillance like my dad.
My guess is $$$ can in some ways negatively influence what needs to happen and give more room for access, at the same time where there is a will there is a way so I belive things can happen across rehabs again more chance w wealth and privilege…
I feel bad he seemed like a good kid , addicted, but part of him wanted to choose LIFE. He needed purpose he admitted, I think thats way wealth and privelige can screw up a kid. It’s a shame if he got sober he could have become a counselor to otehr kids and possibly derived menaing that lacked for him within his parents privelige, living in their shadow
If he had been clean for a period of time (not sure how long he was in rehab) and somehow got access to drugs while in there, overdosing could easily happen. People think they can take the same amount of drugs they were using before, but they can’t. Such a horrific tragedy. My heart goes out to his parents and sister. I have had loved ones with addiction in my life, and it is a hell I would not wish on anyone.
I actually dreamed about Cindy Crawford last night ,and I’m not one to recall dreams. It was bad enough to get me out of bed. The horror of thinking that your child is in a safe place and this can still happen is unthinkable.
My son’s 28 and we contemplated sending him to rehab during COVID. He was doing some serious vaping and deep diving into conspiracy theories on the internet and was not in a a good place.
We ended up not doing inpatient in part because of the potential for stronger drugs, and he was willing to go for outpatient therapy.
Celebrity or not, drugs are just too easy to access, and obviously even those with the best access get caught in the spiral. Look how long it took Robert Downey Jr to get straight. The potential for fentanyl a true disaster.