Supermodel Cindy Crawford and her family have broken their public silence following the death of her 27-year-old son, Presley Gerber, who died on September 20 at a treatment facility in California, per people.com.
In a joint statement released on October 18, Crawford, her husband Rande Gerber, and their daughter Kaia Gerber expressed heartbreak over the loss of their son and brother, describing him as a kindness-driven soul.
The family shared their tribute on Instagram alongside a black-and-white photograph of Presley created by artist Sebastian Faena. They stated that they felt blessed to have had him in their lives for 27 years and expressed gratitude for the widespread messages of support received from both friends and strangers. Rande Gerber subsequently shared the statement on his own profile, adding a personal note calling his late son his world and heart.
Emergency responders were dispatched to a treatment facility in Santa Monica, California, at 9:35am on September 20 following reports of a cardiac arrest and a suspected overdose. The Santa Monica Police Department confirmed officers found Presley deceased upon arrival. Detectives are investigating the incident as a suspected overdose, with no indication of foul play. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner is expected to determine the official cause and manner of death upon completion of the ongoing investigation.
Prior to his death, Presley had spoken publicly about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse. Relatives and close sources indicated that Crawford, 60, and Gerber, 64, spent years supporting their son through various treatment programmes, including inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation.
In an interview published in Vogue prior to the tragedy, Kaia Gerber spoke about the family dynamics surrounding her brother’s open discussions about his health. She noted that while her parents had historically maintained a high level of privacy, Presley chose to be open about his personal challenges to reduce stigma.
Presley Gerber, born into a prominent fashion and business family, worked as a model and photographer. His public discussions regarding mental health and addiction highlighted the challenges faced by young high-profile figures in Hollywood, bringing renewed focus to family support mechanisms and rehabilitation efforts within the entertainment industry.
•Featured image: From left: Presley Gerber, Kaia Gerber, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber in Los Angeles in May 2026/Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty :