Sister's testimony reveals addiction's ripple effect across family
Sister Kaia Gerber testified to addiction's impact on the family system beyond individual struggle.
Event / Health
Presley Gerber Death
Presley Gerber, 27-year-old son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died on September 20 at a rehab facility in Los Angeles. The cause of death is pending autopsy results. Gerber had been publicly open about his struggles with mental health, anxiety, panic attacks, and substance abuse, including opioid use disorder.
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2026-09-21 to 2026-11-03 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 21 Sept, 07:26 UTC
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What happened
Presley Gerber achieves five months of sobriety from alcohol
In a December 2025 video, Presley Gerber reported that he had not consumed alcohol for five months, since his birthday in July 2025. He stated that alcohol was no longer serving him and that he had only drunk on one or two nights in recent years.
Presley Gerber arrested for DUI in 2019
Presley Gerber was arrested for driving under the influence in 2019. This marked an early public acknowledgment of his substance abuse struggles.
Kaia Gerber describes impact of brother's addiction on family
In an August 2026 Vogue interview, Kaia Gerber discussed how her brother Presley's decade-long struggle with drug addiction affected the entire family. She explained that the family's challenges led her to self-identify as the easy child and avoid asking for help, not wanting to burden her parents further.
Presley Gerber undergoes experimental ibogaine treatment for addiction
In March 2026, Presley Gerber posted about undergoing an experimental ibogaine flood dose treatment, describing it as a naturally occurring psychedelic being investigated for addiction treatment. He expressed initial terror about the procedure but reported finding his way back to himself through the experience.
Presley Gerber had modeling career with major fashion brands
Presley Gerber began his modeling career at age 15 when he signed with IMG Models. He made his runway debut for Moschino at age 16 and worked with major fashion brands including Celine, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, and Pepsi.
Presley Gerber struggled with decade-long addiction and mental health issues
Presley Gerber battled drug addiction for approximately a decade, along with anxiety, PTSD, night terrors, and panic attacks. He was taking multiple medications including buprenorphine (for opioid use disorder), benzodiazepines (Xanax and Valium), antidepressants, and other psychiatric medications. He expressed frustration with receiving too much medication without adequate direction from doctors.
Model Presley Gerber dies at age 27 at rehabilitation facility
Presley Gerber, son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died at a rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles on September 20, 2026. He was 27 years old. No cause of death was released at the time, with an autopsy pending completion.
Presley Gerber shared mental health journey through social media series
Presley Gerber spoke openly about his mental health through a social media series called Mental Health Mondays, discussing his medications, struggles, and recovery journey. He appeared on the Studio 22 podcast in 2023 discussing mental health as a major part of his daily life.
Presley Gerber spoke publicly about mental health and substance abuse struggles
Presley Gerber spoke candidly about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse in multiple public forums. In his final public appearance on June 11, 2026, at the We Are ENOUGH x Aviator Nation launch event in Malibu, California, he stated 'The most free I felt was when I was finally honest with myself.' In a 2023 podcast appearance on Studio 22, he described mental health as a 24/7 issue and expressed his desire to help others struggling with depression and substance abuse.
Presley Gerber arrested for driving under the influence in 2019
Presley Gerber was arrested for driving under the influence in 2019. He was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to complete a DUI program and two days of community service.
Presley Gerber underwent Ibogaine treatment in Mexico for substance abuse
Presley Gerber traveled to Cancun, Mexico in March 2026 to undergo Ibogaine treatment at a wellness clinic. Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive substance derived from an African shrub reported to help with withdrawal symptoms and reset brain pathways. Ibogaine is illegal in the United States but legal to possess and administer in Mexico. In video documentation from the treatment, Gerber described the experience, stating he was initially terrified but came to trust the process and began finding his way back to himself.
Presley Gerber dies at age 27 at rehab facility
Presley Gerber, son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died at age 27 at a rehab facility. The death was announced on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed he was at a rehab facility when he died, though the cause of death has not yet been revealed. The family requested privacy during this difficult time.
Presley Gerber worked as professional model for major fashion brands
Presley Gerber was signed by IMG Models at age 15 and worked as a professional model for major international brands including Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, and Bottega Veneta.
Cindy Crawford shared birthday tribute to son Presley two months before his death
On July 2, 2026, supermodel Cindy Crawford posted a birthday tribute to her son Presley on Instagram two months before his death. She wrote 'Happy birthday @presleygerber 🎂 I'm so proud of the man you've become, but I'll always see you as my little boy! Love you ❤️' and shared throwback and recent photos of her son.
Presley Gerber documented his recovery journey publicly on social media
Presley Gerber publicly documented his struggles with addiction, depression, panic attacks, and mental health challenges on social media over several years. He posted candid videos and messages about his treatment journey, medications including buprenorphine, Xanax, and Valium, and experiences with depression. In 2024, he launched 'Mental Health Mondays,' a social media series focused on recovery and emotional well-being aimed at encouraging open conversations about mental health issues.
Presley Gerber arrested for driving under the influence in 2019
In 2019, Presley Gerber was arrested for driving under the influence. He was subsequently sentenced to three years of probation, ordered to complete a DUI program, and required to perform community service.
Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber publicly supported son's recovery efforts
Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber publicly expressed support for their son's recovery efforts on social media. When Presley shared about his ibogaine treatment in March 2026, Cindy commented 'You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud!' and Rande wrote 'I'm so proud of you and your courage. Facing what's hard takes real strength, and watching you find your way back to yourself is everything. I love you so much.' Both parents maintained their support throughout his treatment journey.
Presley Gerber began modeling career as a teenager, signed to IMG Models at age 15
Presley Gerber began his modeling career as a teenager, following in the footsteps of his mother Cindy Crawford. He was signed to IMG Models at age 15 and pursued modeling throughout his life.
Kaia Gerber spoke publicly about impact of brother's decade-long addiction struggle on family
In an August 2026 Vogue cover story promoting the FX series 'The Shards,' Kaia Gerber, 25, discussed how her brother Presley's decade-long struggle with drug addiction affected their family. She explained that 'when something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone' and that she had begun to self-identify as 'the easy one' because she didn't want to ask for help given her brother's needs. She praised her brother for being open about his struggles despite their family's traditionally private nature.
Presley Gerber underwent ibogaine psychedelic treatment in Mexico in March 2026 for addiction
In March 2026, Presley Gerber traveled to Cancún, Mexico, to undergo an 'ibogaine flood dose' treatment at a wellness clinic. Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychedelic derived from the root bark of the Tabernanthe iboga shrub, studied for its potential to treat opioid and cocaine addiction. The treatment is legal in some countries but is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States and cannot be legally prescribed there.
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2 alternative perspectives
Recovery milestones and experimental treatment marked final months
Gerber's documented recovery included five months sobriety and experimental ibogaine treatment before his death.
Treatment choices shaped Gerber's recovery path before death
Gerber pursued experimental ibogaine treatment for cocaine withdrawal after documented legal involvement with substance abuse.
Presley Gerber's modeling career shaped by public struggles
Professional model Presley Gerber's fashion career was defined alongside documented personal and health struggles.
Family's decade-long struggle with addiction leaves lasting legacy
Presley Gerber's death ends a decade-long family addiction journey marked by public support and advocacy.
Gerber's DUI arrest and ibogaine treatment mark legal, medical history
Gerber's arrest record and ibogaine treatment mark his legal and medical intervention history.
Gerber's advocacy shaped public discourse on addiction recovery
Gerber's mental health advocacy and family support shaped public recovery dialogue.
Public persona versus private identity shaped Gerber's modeling journey
Gerber's 'Misunderstood' tattoo symbolized the divide between public persona and private identity.
Model and son of Cindy Crawford dies at 27 in rehab facility
Model Presley Gerber, son of Cindy Crawford, died at 27 while in rehab for substance abuse and mental health struggles.