Presley Gerber Struggled with Purpose and Self-Esteem Before Death at 27, Source Says

Presley Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, was reportedly struggling with a lack of purpose and self-esteem in the weeks leading up to his death at 27. A source close to the family told Page Six that Gerber "seemed a little off" and that "something was just not there" in his final days.

Gerber died at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica, California, on Sunday. He had reportedly checked into the treatment center over the weekend, recognizing that he needed help. According to the source, Gerber "had not been doing well" and had "always suffered from a huge lack of self-esteem and had trouble accepting his real self and feeling fully confident in who he was as a person."

The 27-year-old son of the supermodel couple had been battling addiction and mental health issues for several years. He had previously admitted to struggling with alcohol, opioids, painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, benzodiazepines, and anesthetics. The source indicated that at the time of his death, Gerber was grappling with "the full gamut" of these issues.

Paramedics pronounced Gerber dead at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, approximately 10 minutes after Santa Monica Police Department officers responded to a report of a possible overdose. The 911 dispatch audio revealed that Gerber was in cardiac arrest. The cause and manner of his death are pending, with investigators not suspecting foul play.

Gerber, who had followed his mother and sister Kaia Gerber into modeling, reportedly felt he was "lacking purpose in his life" and "hadn't really found his place." The source attributed some of his struggles to his upbringing in the "strange Malibu world," suggesting that the carefree lifestyle could make substance abuse an easy temptation.

The family has requested privacy during this difficult time. Gerber's final Instagram post, uploaded on August 5, showed him smiling and appeared healthy in a garden setting. He was reportedly very close with his family, spending considerable time with his father in the week prior to his death.

If you or someone you know is affected by issues related to substance abuse or mental health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Helpline is available at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).