Owner of Rehab Where Presley Gerber Died Had Psychology License Denied Over Criminal Past

Dr. Reza Nabavi, the founder and owner of the facility where Presley Gerber died of a suspected overdose, previously had his psychology license denied over a criminal history involving drugs and a minor. In February 2002, Nabavi, then 25, was arrested after police found him asleep in a car with a 15-year-old girl in an area known for drug activity. Officers discovered methamphetamine, marijuana, a hunting knife, a handgun, and ammunition in Nabavi's vehicle.

Nabavi pleaded no contest to misdemeanor drug possession charges in May 2002 and was sentenced to 36 months of probation. Later that month, he was arrested again for possessing narcotics and paraphernalia after allegedly agreeing to sell meth to an informant. Following this, he again pleaded no contest to misdemeanor drug possession and received another 36-month probation.

In September 2004, Nabavi applied for registration as a psychologist with the California Board of Psychology. However, the application was denied the same month. Official documents cite a conviction of a crime substantially related to the qualifications and practice of a psychologist, use of a controlled substance, and unprofessional conduct as reasons for the denial.

Nabavi eventually registered as a psychological assistant in January 2006, though this registration was revoked the following month. The revocation was "stayed," meaning it would not take effect if Nabavi complied with specific probationary terms for five years. These terms included psychological evaluations, employer notification, weekly monitoring by a licensed psychologist, entering a drug and alcohol recovery program, ongoing treatment, and random drug testing.

After another denial in May 2005, Nabavi was finally able to register as a psychologist in December 2006, fulfilling his probation conditions. The California Board of Psychology granted him early termination of probation in May 2008, and his license is currently set to expire on June 30, 2028.

Nabavi worked as the director of family services at Promises Malibu from June 2006 to May 2011. In August 2013, he opened Resolutions Living (RL), a halfway house in Santa Monica, California, where the 27-year-old Presley Gerber died on a Sunday. Nabavi is the owner of RL and the founder and executive director of Resolutions Therapeutic Services (RTS), a clinical outpatient treatment provider.

The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner listed Gerber's place of death as a "rehabilitation facility." However, a representative for the Department of Health Care Services stated that RL is not a licensed substance use disorder residential treatment facility. The department indicated that the program appears to operate as a sober living environment or recovery residence, which is not subject to state licensure requirements.

Presley Gerber, son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, had a history of substance abuse, addiction, and mental health issues. He was admitted to RL on Saturday, the day before his death, and sources reported he appeared "visibly under the influence" at the time of admission. RL's website previously stated that individuals without sufficient clean time for its outpatient programs would be referred elsewhere for detoxification under 24-hour nursing care. It remains unclear if Gerber received a medical evaluation upon admission.