Cindy Crawford Recalled Pain of Losing a Child Years Before Son Presley's Death

Supermodel Cindy Crawford previously described the unimaginable pain of losing a child, a sentiment that gained profound significance years later with the death of her son, Presley Gerber, at age 27 from a suspected overdose. The reflection came from a 2010 interview where Crawford discussed her mother's experience after the death of Crawford's younger brother, Jeffrey, who died from leukemia at four years old.

"Growing up, I sometimes felt she should have been angry or outraged, and she wasn't. She had a son that died. My dad had an affair and they divorced," Crawford said, referencing the difficult period her mother endured. "Those were painful things for her but they didn't take away from her light as a person. Now I'm a mom myself I've really come to appreciate her outlook on life," she added. "I can't imagine the pain of losing a child."

Presley Gerber died on Sunday at a Los Angeles rehabilitation facility following a prolonged struggle with drugs, panic attacks, and mental health issues. A source close to the family told Page Six that Crawford is "inconsolable" and "absolutely devastated," describing the situation as "every parent's worst nightmare."

Another source indicated that Presley, his sister Kaia Gerber, and their parents, Cindy and Rande Gerber, have always been a "tight-knit family." Kaia is reportedly taking her brother's death "very, very hard" and is "heartbroken" as he was her "best friend."

George Clooney and his wife Amal were seen arriving at Kaia Gerber's house in Los Angeles, offering support to the family in the wake of the tragedy.

The 911 dispatch call from Presley's suspected overdose revealed that he went into cardiac arrest before his death. Emergency services were called to the rehab facility on Sunday morning, where Presley was pronounced dead at the scene. The Santa Monica Police Department confirmed officers responded to a report of a possible overdose and that detectives are investigating the death as a suspected overdose, with no immediate indication of foul play.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet determined the official cause of death, though an autopsy was completed. Reports suggest Presley had checked into the rehab facility the night before his death and was sharing a room with roommates.

Earlier this year, Presley had been open about his decade-long struggle with drug addiction and mental health. He posted about undergoing a "Pre-ibogaine flood dose" treatment at a clinic in Mexico, a process using the psychoactive substance ibogaine, intended to help with withdrawal symptoms and induce a mental reset. His parents and sister publicly praised his "courage" for undertaking the treatment.

Ibogaine is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the U.S. but is used in specialized clinics in countries like Mexico. Despite its U.S. ban, public figures have endorsed its benefits.

In the months leading up to his death, Presley had stepped back from social media to focus on his mental health and had begun sharing "Mental Health Mondays" videos on Instagram. In these videos, he discussed his "night terrors" and "panic attacks," and the medication he took for them. He acknowledged the fluctuating nature of his mental health, influenced by recent "loss in many different forms."

Presley Gerber, who began modeling at 15 and appeared in campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana and Calvin Klein, was signed to IMG models. He had faced legal issues, including a driving under the influence arrest in 2019. His death comes shortly after his sister Kaia Gerber spoke about the significant toll his struggles had taken on their family, describing him as a "teacher" for his openness about his challenges.