Presley Gerber Dies at 27 as Autopsy Leaves Cause of Death Undetermined

Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, has died at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica, California, leaving his family and loved ones mourning a life marked by a very public struggle with mental health and substance use.

Gerber died on September 20, 2026, according to records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Responding paramedics pronounced him dead at 9:45 a.m. after he was found unresponsive at the facility. The Santa Monica Police Department is investigating the death.

An autopsy has since been completed, but officials have not determined what caused Gerber’s death. The Medical Examiner has listed the cause and manner of death as deferred, meaning additional testing or studies are still required. Officials said such cases can take several months before a final determination is made.

Police are investigating the death as a suspected overdose. Dispatch records obtained by PEOPLE indicate that officers were sent to the Santa Monica facility following reports involving an apparent overdose and cardiac arrest. However, there is currently no official finding identifying a particular drug or substance as the cause of death. Police have also said there is no indication of foul play.

The circumstances are especially poignant because Gerber had previously spoken openly about his struggles with addiction and mental health. In a December 2025 Instagram post that was later deleted, he discussed the medications and substances he had used while trying to manage his mental health, including buprenorphine, Xanax and Valium. He also described seeing multiple doctors as he searched for a path forward.

Gerber continued documenting his recovery journey in 2026. In March, he shared a video from Mexico ahead of what he described as an “ibogaine flood dose,” writing about his fear of the treatment and his hope that confronting painful experiences could help him find his way back to himself. Reports noted that the treatment was part of his broader efforts to address his substance-use struggles.

His family publicly supported those efforts. Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber and his younger sister, Kaia Gerber, offered messages of encouragement around his treatment-related posts. Presley had also spoken publicly about mental health, including depression and panic attacks, and had used his platform to encourage more open conversations about struggles that people often keep private.

Kaia Gerber later spoke about the impact of her brother’s long-running struggles on their family during an August 2026 interview with Vogue. She described how substance-use problems within a family can affect everyone around the person struggling.

Presley began modeling as a teenager and followed his mother’s path into the fashion industry, working with major brands and appearing on runways and in campaigns. He also appeared alongside Cindy Crawford in a 2018 Pepsi Super Bowl commercial.

His death now leaves his family waiting for answers that may take months to come. For the moment, officials have not established an official cause of death, and the investigation remains ongoing. A representative for the Gerber family has asked for privacy as they grieve their loss.

Source: People.com