On September 20, 2026, US media reported that Presley Gerber died at a rehabilitation center in Los Angeles, California. According to TMZ, authorities are currently investigating the cause.

Presley, born in 1999, was the eldest child of Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber. At 16, he and his sister, Kaia Gerber, then 14, were among the most promising models in international fashion, gracing numerous runways for major fashion houses such as Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren. According to DNA Model Management, his agency, he was also an investor and entrepreneur.

The Gerber family attended a wedding in 2024. Photo: Instagram Presley Gerber

As his fame grew, Presley Gerber became entangled with alcohol and drugs, leading to his arrest for driving under the influence in Beverly Hills in December 2018. He was sentenced to three years of probation, mandatory participation in an offender education program, and two days of community service. According to USA Today, Presley's career stalled a year later as he focused more on himself amid intense public scrutiny.

In 2020, the situation worsened when Presley tattooed "Misunderstood" on his right cheek. On his personal page at the time, he also posted a video using a handgun, uttering confusing statements about being misunderstood. According to Us Weekly, concerned by their son's erratic behavior, Cindy Crawford and her husband contacted psychotherapists for help. The couple believed their son was negatively influenced by his friends.

Presley Gerber and his mother in a photoshoot about 10 years ago. Photo: Instagram Presley Gerber

After a period of family support, Presley Gerber gradually became more open about his condition. He removed the tattoo from his face and spoke publicly about his efforts to overcome addiction and his struggle with depression. In 2023, Crawford's son launched the "Mental Health Mondays" series to raise mental health awareness, collaborating with several non-governmental organizations, including A Sense of Home, a community supporting homeless individuals in Los Angeles, according to CNN. He also filmed numerous videos discussing healing, life experiences, and posted them on Instagram.

On the Studio 22 podcast that same year, he stated, "Even if I only help one or a hundred people escape the circumstances I went through, that's enough for me." Beyond his community work, he occasionally attended events and participated in magazine photoshoots. In April 2025, he and his family filmed a commercial for a fashion brand.

Presley's journey to recovery always had his parents and sister by his side. The entire family consistently expressed affection for each other on social media, sometimes mentioning him in interviews.

In March, Presley garnered attention by posting a video of himself participating in a rehabilitation program, stating his hope that it would be his last time at a treatment facility. In the comments section, his parents and sister left encouraging words, expressing pride in him. Cindy Crawford called her son a warrior who "walked through fire to find himself." Businessman Rande stated that witnessing his son overcome difficulties was very meaningful to him.

On Presley's birthday in July, the supermodel posted a childhood photo of her son with the caption: "While I'm so proud of the man you've become, you'll always be my little boy in my eyes."

In an August interview with Vogue, model Kaia expressed joy at seeing her brother more open about his life. "For most of their lives, my parents lived very privately, distant, and shared nothing with anyone. Now, we have a teacher, and that's my brother, who said: "I will live authentically, and connect closely with everyone"."

An image from Presley's most recent post in early August. Photo: Instagram Presley Gerber

When news of Presley Gerber's death spread across media, many celebrities extended their condolences to him and the Gerber family, including: Paris Hilton and television star Brody Jenner. Brooklyn Beckham, son of former football star David Beckham, posted a photo of the two on Instagram Story, stating he was "heartbroken." He wrote: "You were the kindest person I ever knew. We will miss you greatly."

By Phuong Thao (Source: People, CNN, USA Today)