Model Presley Gerber, the eldest child and only son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, has died at the age of 27 following a suspected overdose at a luxury sober living facility in Santa Monica, California.
Emergency services were called to the Resolutions Living facility in the 1000 block of Berkeley Street at approximately 9:35am on Sunday, September 20, 2026, after Gerber suffered cardiac arrest. Officers from the Santa Monica Police Department located him deceased inside a bedroom at the residence, where detectives launched an investigation into a suspected overdose with no initial indications of foul play.
Hours before his death, Gerber recorded video footage inside the facility at around 10:00pm on Saturday evening. In the clip obtained by TMZ, the 27-year-old model gave a solo tour of the property while wearing a white undershirt that displayed his prominent tattoos, a silver chain necklace, and black eyeglasses. He appeared visibly under the influence, staring directly into the camera with noticeably glazed eyes as he panned across a bedroom and common areas where no other people were visible.
Insiders told TMZ that Gerber had used drugs on Saturday afternoon and became concerned that he was losing control of his condition. His sober coach contacted Resolutions Living to request a temporary weekend hold before transferring him to a separate rehabilitation center on Monday. Although the coach made clear that Gerber was actively high on drugs, the facility's admissions officer agreed to accept him into the property.
Sources alleged that Gerber continued using drugs after checking into a separate house on the grounds, where he had roommates, treating the weekend as a final opportunity to indulge before entering formal rehab on Monday. Following his death on Sunday morning, the admissions officer who admitted him was reportedly fired from Resolutions Living.
Representatives for Crawford, Gerber, and Resolutions Living did not immediately respond to requests for comment. According to the facility's website, the co-ed luxury residence sits in the prestigious northern section of Santa Monica, featuring views of the ocean and city lights alongside amenities such as an in-home movie theater, fitness gym, outdoor seating areas, fully stocked pantries, and daily chef-prepared meals.
The facility states that its mission is to provide the structure, life skills, vocational coaching, accountability, and 24-hour on-site staff support necessary to assist clients recovering from addiction, mental health conditions, and co-occurring disorders.
Investigation and Cremation
Insiders close to the investigation revealed that Gerber's body was discovered near the bed rather than on it inside the bedroom. A death certificate obtained by TMZ showed that his remains were cremated just days later at the Rose Family Funeral Home, listing his occupation as an entrepreneur working in mental health. His parents plan to retain their son's ashes at their private residence.
Cindy Crawford, 60, is an international supermodel who achieved global fame during the 1980s and 1990s, while her husband Rande Gerber, 64, is an entertainment entrepreneur and nightlife businessman. In an official statement, a Santa Monica Police Department spokesperson confirmed the details of the emergency response.
"On September 20, 2026, at approximately 9.35am, Santa Monica Police Department officers responded to a report of a possible overdose in the 1000 block of Berkeley Street," the spokesperson stated. "Upon arrival, officers located an adult male who was deceased. SMPD detectives are investigating the death as a suspected overdose. At this time, there is no indication of foul play. The investigation remains ongoing."
Audio from the 911 emergency dispatch revealed that the call was initially logged at 9:35am for cardiac arrest, upgraded three minutes later to an overdose, and given increased priority again at 9:40am. Sources told TMZ that toxicological analysis will determine the exact substances involved, though fentanyl has not been a primary focus of the investigation. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner completed an autopsy last week, though an official cause of death remains pending.
Following the release of the dispatch call, sources close to Gerber alleged that a physician had been prescribing him ketamine despite being aware of his long-standing struggles with drug addiction. While ketamine is an anesthetic sometimes used off-label to treat addiction, close friends expressed anger that the dissociative medication had been prescribed to him.
Alternative Treatments and Mental Health Battles
Gerber had been open about a decade-long battle with drug addiction and mental health challenges. In March, he documented undergoing a pre-ibogaine flood dose treatment at the Beond Ibogaine clinic in Cancun, Mexico, where ten-day programs start at $12,500. Ibogaine, a psychoactive compound derived from the root bark of an African shrub, is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States but is legally permitted in countries including Mexico, Canada, and Brazil to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and induce a reset.
In social media posts following the treatment, Gerber expressed gratitude to the clinic staff and shared his internal struggle, writing that he was absolutely terrified and trusted there was something bigger guiding him. His family publicly supported his decision, with Crawford commenting, "You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud!" while his father Rande wrote, "I'm so proud of you and your courage. Facing what's hard takes real strength and watching you find your way back to yourself is everything. I love you so much." His younger sister Kaia Gerber added, "That's my brother I am so damn proud."
Gerber also wrote in his post caption: "I was absolutely terrified, and I knew I would be again if I ever had to face something like this (helps to not go into the situations you do that get ya there but that's life sometimes.) My mantras were love yourself and lis gotta be the last time for this reason. letting go of control didn't come easy, but I trusted there was something bigger than me guiding it. I knew why i was there. I faced what I had been running from, and somewhere in all of it, i started finding my way back to yourself… We shall see… Praying it's the last time I have to come back. Next time I'd like to choose And absolutely can't forget the incredible caring kind and on-their-s*** team. Helps a lot haha. And I made some dope ass friends there #iboga #ibogaine #rewireyourbrain #loveyourself #mentalhealth."
Other public figures have previously spoken about ibogaine therapy, including singer Melissa Etheridge, whose 21-year-old son Beckett died of a fentanyl overdose in 2020, and former professional basketball player Lamar Odom, the ex-husband of Khloe Kardashian. In November, Gerber announced he was taking a hiatus from social media to focus on his mental health.
The following month, Gerber launched a series of Instagram videos titled Mental Health Mondays, discussing his experiences with panic attacks and night terrors. He disclosed that his medication regimens fluctuated based on life events and recent personal losses, acknowledging in one video that he no longer knew the exact dosage he was taking for one prescribed medication. "I feel like honesty is the best policy," Gerber stated at the time, adding that his medication use was "fluctuating up and down depending on what's been going on in my life" and that he had experienced panic attacks that were "really, really bad."
Family Impact and Career
His death came just weeks after his sister Kaia Gerber, 25, reflected on her brother's struggles in an interview with Vogue magazine. Kaia, a prominent fashion model and actress, described how addiction impacts the entire family unit, stating, "When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone."
Kaia praised her brother for breaking away from their parents' traditionally private approach to public life. "My parents for most of our lives were very, very private and didn't share anything, and now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, 'I'm gonna be very human for everyone.' There's only so much you can hide from the world," she told Vogue, adding that "trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you're ashamed of them."
Gerber began his modeling career at age 15, signing with IMG Models and starring in major advertising campaigns for brands including Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana. In 2018, he appeared alongside his mother in a high-profile Pepsi commercial. Despite his early success, Gerber faced legal and personal trouble, including a 2019 arrest for driving under the influence. Official toxicology results from the medical examiner are expected to determine the definitive cause of his death.
