Cindy Crawford's Son Presley Dies at 27 Amid Struggles with Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died on Sunday in Los Angeles. His death follows a public struggle with mental health and substance abuse, according to reports.

Presley had reportedly checked into a rehabilitation center just hours before his death. The cause of death is currently under investigation, but a drug overdose is suspected. His passing has brought profound grief to his family, including his mother, who herself experienced the loss of a sibling in childhood.

Crawford, who celebrated her 60th birthday this year, lost her younger brother, Jeffrey, to leukemia when she was ten years old. This earlier tragedy, she has spoken about, has left a lasting impact.

"Cindy has never fully got over her only brother's death. She talks about it and it still haunts her," a family friend told the Daily Mail. Crawford has previously reflected on survivor's guilt and the difficulty of imagining such a loss until becoming a parent herself.

Presley Gerber followed his mother into the modeling world. By age 15, he was signed by IMG models, the same agency that represented his younger sister, Kaia Gerber, who was signed at 13. Presley later spoke about his life changing rapidly after signing, experiencing fame at a young age.

In recent years, Presley had been open about his battles with mental health and substance abuse. He documented his experiences, including struggles with depression and rehabilitation, in a series of video diaries on Instagram titled "Mental Health Mondays." In November, he announced a temporary break from posting to focus on his well-being, stating he would return "stronger, clearer, more intentional than ever."

In March, he shared that he had undergone experimental treatment with Ibogaine, a psychedelic drug used for substance dependence, in Mexico, where it is legal.

In 2019, Presley was charged with driving under the influence and sentenced to probation. The following year, he got the word "Misunderstood" tattooed across his face, explaining in an interview that it reflected how he felt his entire life. He later had the tattoo removed.

Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, who also have a daughter, Kaia, have been described as supportive parents throughout Presley's struggles. "He was very proud of his roots," said celebrity photographer Katie Levine, who knew Presley. "I felt like his parents and his sister were always there for him, giving him a lot of support."

A family friend noted the devastating impact of Presley's death on Kaia, who is now an only child. "Suddenly she's an only child," the friend said. "She's lost her brother who she loved so much."

Presley Gerber was born in 1999, a year after his parents' marriage. Crawford has described the birth of her children as her greatest achievements and strove to be a present mother despite her demanding career. The family friend added, "The one consolation the family has is that Presley is no longer suffering. However, what he's left behind is a heartbroken family who will never be able to fully heal."