Presley Gerber's Years-Long Struggle With Addiction Detailed
The son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber battled substance abuse issues for years before his death at 27.
Presley Gerber, son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, struggled with substance abuse for years leading up to his death at age 27. He died in September 2026 at a Los Angeles rehabilitation facility, with reports indicating a suspected overdose.
His parents and sister, Kaia Gerber, released a joint statement at the time, requesting privacy during their "very difficult and painful time."
In August 2026, one month before his death, Kaia Gerber praised her brother for speaking openly about his struggles. "My parents for most of our lives were very, very private and didn’t share anything — and now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, ‘I’m gonna be very human for everyone,'" she told Vogue. "There’s only so much you can hide from the world."
Presley's public challenges with addiction and mental health spanned several years.
Early Legal Issues
In December 2018, at age 19, Presley was arrested for driving under the influence in California after failing a field sobriety test. He pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge and was sentenced to three years of probation, a DUI program, and community service.
In February 2020, he was seen visiting a drug-testing facility, shortly after debuting a face tattoo that he described as "misunderstood."
Mental Health and Depression
While Presley did not publicly discuss his addiction until 2024, he spoke about his struggles with "mental health, depression and some other things that come along with that" in March 2023. He expressed a desire for his experiences to help others avoid similar mistakes, stating he was in therapy frequently.
Opioid Addiction Disclosure
In 2024, Presley shared via Instagram Stories that he was dealing with a "current, very high opioid addiction," which he noted had been "on and off for years." He stated his intention to inform others to create accountability as he prepared for treatment.
'Mental Health Mondays'
Later in 2024, Presley began a series of weekly Instagram videos titled "Mental Health Mondays." These posts addressed various topics, including shame and dealing with triggers. He also discussed his experiences with medications such as Prozac, Adderall, and Valium.
Prescription Drug Use
In a detailed Instagram video in December 2025, Presley announced he was five months sober from alcohol. He shared a comprehensive list of his prescriptions, explaining the rationale behind them. These included medications for "night terrors," Xanax for panic attacks, Buprenorphine, and ketamine. He mentioned having seen numerous psychiatrists and expressed a desire for clearer guidance rather than broad prescriptions. He also noted recent personal losses as a contributing factor to his situation.
Wellness Clinic Experience
In March 2026, Presley reflected on his time at a wellness clinic in Cancún, Mexico, where he underwent ibogaine treatment. He described facing his fears and finding his way back to himself, expressing hope that it would be his last treatment experience. His family expressed pride in his efforts in the comments of his Instagram post.
Death
News of Presley Gerber's death emerged in September 2026. Reports indicated he died from a suspected overdose while at a rehab facility. The official cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.