What we know about the death of Presley Gerber, Cindy Crawford's son

The autopsy of Presley Gerber, Cindy Crawford's son, is complete. However, the exact cause of his death remains unknown. The medical examiner has provisionally classified the official cause of death as "pending," as further tests are required. Police are currently favoring the theory of an overdose.

Emergency services received a call at 9:35 a.m. local time on Sunday for an intervention at a luxury drug rehabilitation clinic in Santa Monica. According to a local police spokesperson, officers found Presley Gerber unconscious. They attempted to resuscitate him, but he was pronounced dead ten minutes later at 9:45 a.m.

An overdose is the leading theory at this stage, according to police. Investigators say there is no evidence to suggest foul play. Sources close to the case told the American celebrity news website TMZ that his family had also been informed of the overdose theory. The specific drugs or medications involved are currently unknown.

Autopsy

However, an overdose has not yet been officially established as the cause of death. An autopsy was performed, but the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner recorded the cause of death as "deferred." Further tests are needed. According to the doctor, it could be several months before definitive conclusions are reached.

At the time of his death, Presley Gerber was staying in a rehabilitation clinic. According to TMZ, he resided there with several other people and occupied a detached house located on the property.

Addictions

“The family requests that their privacy be respected during this particularly difficult and painful time,” said a spokesperson for Cindy Crawford, her husband Rande Gerber, and their daughter Kaia Gerber.

From the age of 15, Presley had begun working as a model, following in the footsteps of his mother and sister. By 17, he was already a highly sought-after model for major fashion houses, such as Dolce & Gabbana.

In recent years, he had spoken openly about his addiction problems and mental health. In January 2019, he was arrested for driving under the influence. Later that year, he was sentenced to three years of probation, with the requirement to complete a road safety awareness program and perform two days of community service.

Mental health problems

Presley Gerber had also begun to speak openly about his mental health struggles. “I’ve battled depression, mental health issues, and everything that goes with it,” he confided in a podcast. “Fighting that is a full-time job. It’s a huge part of my life. If I can help even one person avoid ending up in the same place, I have to do it.”

In 2024, he launched “Mental Health Mondays,” a series of videos shared on social media in which he discussed his own recovery and ways to help others. In a now-deleted video, he claimed to be taking several medications to manage his anxiety attacks, including Xanax and Valium.

Kaia was worried

His sister, Kaia Gerber, revealed earlier this year in an interview with Vogue that her brother's addiction problems had a major impact on the entire family. "When something like this happens in a family, you're confronted with the harsh reality," she explained.

“I put my own needs second (...) I made it my mission to avoid additional worries for my parents. It would have been too much for them to bear if they had had two children requiring special attention.”

Latest images

On Instagram, he had posted a series of photos on August 6th, in which he appeared all smiles. These were the last photos he shared himself with his followers.

He had also appeared in public alongside his family a few months before his death. Until shortly before his passing, he continued to speak openly about his mental health and his battle with addiction.

In March, he revealed that he had undergone treatment with ibogaine, a psychedelic substance. “I faced what I was running from,” he wrote at the time. He also expressed hope that this would be the very last time he would have to go to rehab.