Presley Gerber’s Father Honored in Poignant Post Months Before Son’s Death

Presley Gerber, the model son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, expressed deep gratitude for his father's support in a touching Instagram post shared four months before his death at age 27. The post, which has since been deleted, described Rande Gerber as the "best father in the world" who had "never given up" on him.

"He's always there for me. Always has the best advice for me. I appreciate this man more than words can explain. I love you pops. To more paddle boarding days around the world," Presley wrote alongside a photo of him and his father paddleboarding. Rande Gerber responded in the comments, "I am honored [to] take this ride called life with you over and over any time. Sometimes we may fall but with a little help always get back up. I love you forever Prez."

Presley Gerber died on Sunday at a rehabilitation facility, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. His death followed a years-long struggle with drugs, panic attacks, and mental health issues, which he had increasingly disclosed in candid social media posts.

In March, Presley shared a video documenting his participation in a "Pre Ibogaine Flood Dose," describing it as a "quiet moment before everything changed." He explained that the experience helped him face what he had been running from and begin to find his way back to himself. His family, including Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, offered messages of strong support on the post, with Cindy calling him a "warrior" and Rande expressing pride in his "courage."

His sister, Kaia Gerber, previously spoke about how her brother's struggles affected the family, telling Vogue that "when something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone." She also shared that her brother's honesty about his challenges was "refreshing" and a contrast to their parents' historically private nature.

Presley had previously discussed his mental health, including taking medication for night terrors and panic attacks. He detailed his use of Buprenorphine, benzodiazepines, Xanax, and Valium, and expressed frustration with the lack of clear direction from the numerous psychiatrists he had seen. He noted the "loss in many different forms" he had experienced recently as a contributing factor to his current state.

His parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, were last pictured together on a date night two days before their son's death. Kaia Gerber was last seen publicly on September 16 at an event in Beverly Hills.