Cindy Crawford's Touching Tribute to Son Presley Ahead of His Death

Supermodel Cindy Crawford shared a poignant birthday message for her son, Presley Gerber, just two months prior to his death at the age of 27. Presley died on Sunday at a rehabilitation facility, following years of battling drug addiction, panic attacks, and mental health challenges.

In July, Crawford posted a collection of childhood photos featuring herself and a young Presley, accompanying them with the caption: "Happy birthday I’m so proud of the man you’ve become, but I’ll always see you as my little boy! Love you." She further lauded him as a "warrior" for facing his struggles, a sentiment echoed by her husband, Rande Gerber, and daughter Kaia Gerber.

Crawford and her family publicly supported Presley in March after he disclosed his intention to undergo Ibogaine treatment in Mexico. Ibogaine, a psychoactive substance derived from an African shrub, is reported to aid in withdrawal symptoms and recalibrate brain pathways. After Presley shared his experience, his family posted supportive comments, with Crawford writing, "You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud!" Kaia added, "That's my brother. I am so damn proud," and Rande Gerber expressed, "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."

Presley himself described the experience in an Instagram post, detailing his fear and trust in a higher power during the Ibogaine treatment. He wrote, "My mantras were love yourself and lis gotta be the last time for this reason. letting go of control didn’t come easy, but I trusted there was something bigger than me guiding it. I knew why i was there. I faced what I had been running from, and somewhere in all of it, i started finding my way back to myself…. We shall see…. Praying it’s the last time I have to come back..."

His death comes weeks after his younger sister, Kaia Gerber, spoke about the significant impact her brother's struggles had on their family, telling Vogue that such events "kind of levels everyone."

A representative for Crawford released a statement to the Daily Mail, stating, "The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time."

Presley Gerber, who had followed his mother into modeling, began his career at age 15 and appeared in campaigns for brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Calvin Klein. He was signed with IMG Models and also featured in a 2018 Pepsi advertisement with Crawford. He had also faced legal issues, including a driving under the influence arrest in 2019.

Ibogaine, an extract from the iboga plant, is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States. Despite its legal status, figures like singer Melissa Etheridge and Lamar Odom have spoken positively about its therapeutic benefits. A Stanford University study published in January 2024 indicated that ibogaine significantly improved symptoms of anxiety and depression in a group of 30 veterans. Neurologist Deborah Mash told The Washington Post in March 2024 that the substance heals the brain by promoting the growth of neural networks in damaged areas.