Presley Gerber’s death investigated as suspected overdose as medical examiner awaits further testing

The death of Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, is being investigated by police as a suspected overdose.

Gerber was found dead at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica, California, on Sunday, September 20. Santa Monica Police Department officers responded to a report of a possible overdose at about 9.35am and found an adult man deceased at the scene. Police later confirmed his identity as Gerber.

Authorities said there is currently no indication of foul play.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner conducted an examination on Monday, but the cause and manner of death have not yet been determined. The medical examiner said additional testing or studies had been requested, and that a final determination could take time while the investigation continues.

Police investigate suspected overdose

Santa Monica detectives are treating Gerber’s death as a suspected overdose, while the medical examiner continues its work to establish the official cause of death.

According to reporting from the Los Angeles Times, emergency calls on Sunday included reports of a cardiac arrest and a possible overdose. Gerber had reportedly entered the rehabilitation facility only hours before his death, around 10pm on Saturday. Paramedics pronounced him dead at 9.45am Sunday.

However, the medical examiner has stressed that the official cause and manner of death remain pending. The department has also declined to disclose what additional tests or studies have been requested because the death investigation is ongoing.

Family asks for privacy

Gerber’s death has left his family grieving.

His mother, Cindy Crawford, his father, Rande Gerber, and his younger sister, model and actress Kaia Gerber, have asked for privacy during what they described as an extremely difficult and painful period.

Presley was the only son of Crawford and Rande Gerber and followed both his sister and mother into modelling. He began working in the fashion industry as a teenager and appeared in campaigns for major brands, including Dolce & Gabbana. He also worked with other major fashion names during his career.

His sister Kaia has also spoken publicly about the impact of Presley’s long-running struggles on their family.

Presley spoke openly about mental health and addiction

In recent years, Presley had been unusually open about his experiences with mental health problems, addiction and recovery.

He previously described dealing with panic attacks and said he had used prescription medications including Xanax and Valium while trying to cope with those struggles.

In a 2023 appearance on the Studio 22 podcast, Presley spoke about his experiences with depression and mental health and explained that he hoped sharing what he had gone through could help other people.

He described overcoming those difficulties as a “24/7 job” and said his goal was to help others who might be facing similar experiences.

That became the focus of his social media series “Mental Health Mondays”, in which he discussed recovery, healthier habits and issues that people often kept hidden.

Presley said he was proud of the conversations the series had encouraged and of the number of people he believed it had reached.

His final months were focused on treatment

One of Presley’s final Instagram posts showed him at a Los Angeles rehabilitation facility undergoing psychedelic drug treatment in March.

In the post, he reflected on how frightening the experience had been and expressed hope that he would not have to return to that point again.

Cindy Crawford and Kaia both responded publicly to the post, expressing their support for him.

Crawford wrote that she was proud of her son, while Kaia described him as her brother and said she was extremely proud of him.

The post now carries a particularly painful significance following his death.

Kaia previously discussed the impact on the family

Earlier this year, Kaia spoke to Vogue about the effect her brother’s decade-long addiction had had on the family.

She explained that when one person in a family is experiencing serious difficulties, the consequences can affect everyone around them. She also reflected on how the experience influenced her own behaviour and her reluctance to ask for help.

Her comments offered a rare glimpse into the personal impact of Presley’s struggles beyond the public image of the famous family.

Presley had also previously faced legal trouble. In 2019, he was arrested for driving under the influence and was later sentenced to three years of probation and required to complete a driver’s program.

Investigation remains ongoing

Despite the police investigation into a suspected overdose, authorities have not yet established the official cause of Presley’s death.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has completed its initial examination but said further testing is necessary before a final determination can be made. The department has cautioned that deferred cases can take months to resolve.

For now, Presley’s family is mourning the loss of a 27-year-old son and brother who had publicly documented his own struggles while trying to encourage others to seek healthier paths.

His death remains under investigation by the Santa Monica Police Department, with the final cause and manner of death still pending.