Model Presley Gerber, the eldest child of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, has died at the age of 27.
Gerber passed away on Sunday, September 20, at a rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles, his family’s representative confirmed.
While an autopsy is pending with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner to determine the official cause of death, the fashion world and fans alike are mourning a young talent who was as known for his runway presence as he was for his candid, courageous honesty regarding his battles with mental health and addiction.
A life in modelling
Presley entered the modelling industry as a teenager, signing with IMG Models at 15. He made his runway debut for Moschino in 2016 and later appeared in campaigns for international fashion brands including Calvin Klein, Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana.
His career also brought him into the spotlight alongside his mother. In 2018, Presley appeared with Crawford in a Pepsi Super Bowl commercial, giving audiences a glimpse of their relationship beyond their careers.
He was also the older brother of model and actress Kaia Gerber. While fashion shaped much of his early public profile, he increasingly used social media to share his personal experiences.
Speaking openly about addiction
In recent years, Presley spoke publicly about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse. He hosted an Instagram series called “Mental Health Mondays”, using the platform to encourage more open conversations about issues that are often kept private.
In March, he shared a video documenting his experience with psychedelic drug treatment. The footage showed him preparing to undergo an ibogaine flood dose.
Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound derived from the Central West African shrub Tabernanthe iboga. According to Stanford Medicine, its legal status varies between countries, and it is not approved for prescription in the United States.
“[A] quiet moment before everything changed,” Presley wrote alongside the video.
“I was absolutely terrified, and I knew I would be again if I ever had to face something like this.”
He said his mantras during the treatment included “loving himself” and described the difficulty of surrendering control.
“Letting go of control didn’t come easy, but I trusted there was something bigger than me guiding it,” he wrote.
Presley added: “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 myself. We shall see.”
He ended the post by saying he was “praying it’s the last time I have to come back.”
His family remembers him
Presley’s family has not publicly disclosed a cause of death. A representative for Crawford and Rande Gerber confirmed his death and said the family was asking for privacy.
“The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time,” said Allie Jenkins, a representative for the family.
In July, Crawford shared a photograph of her son as a young boy on social media.
“I’m so proud of the man you’ve become, but I’ll always remember you as my little boy! Love you,” she wrote.
Kaia also spoke about her brother in the September 2026 issue of “Vogue", discussing what she described as his “decade-long struggle with drug addiction”.
“When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,” Kaia said.
She explained that she began to see herself as “the easy one” and avoided asking for help because she felt the family already had so much to deal with.
Tributes pour in
News of Presley’s death prompted messages from people mourning his death and expressing sympathy for his family.
One social media user wrote: “It's disturbing to see such young people, who never experienced life to the fullest, leave so early. RIP.”
Another wrote: “The first sorrow I would remove from the world is mothers burying their children. I'm sorry she lost her son, her child. No parent should experience this horror.”
A third tribute said: “Losing a child is the hardest thing for any family. Sending prayers to the Crawford and Gerber family.”
As the investigation continues, Gerber is remembered not only for his work in fashion but also for his willingness to speak publicly about struggles that had shaped his life.
lutho.pasiya@nationalmg.co.za