Cindy Crawford ‘inconsolable’ following death of son Presley

'This is every parent’s worst nightmare'

Published Sep 22, 2026  •  3 minute read

Cindy Crawford and Presley Gerber at Pepsi Generations Live Pop-Up on Feb. 2, 2018 in Minneapolis. Photo by Frazer Harrison /Getty Images for Pepsi

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Cindy Crawford is reeling following the shocking death of her son, Presley Gerber.

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According to online records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Gerber died Sunday at a “rehab facility.”

“The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time,” a representative for the family told TMZ, shortly after the news broke.

According to sources, Crawford, 60, has been left “inconsolable” by her child’s death at the age of 27.

“They were so close,” one insider told Page Six. “What you saw online and in the press wasn’t just for that purpose. They were a tight-knit family and (sister) Kaia and Presley were more than just siblings. Cindy has to be beyond gutted.”

A second source told the outlet Crawford is “absolutely devastated.”

“This is every parent’s worst nightmare, and the family is still trying to process everything that happened,” they said.

Presley Gerber, Kaia Gerber, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber seen at Paris Fashion Week in 2018. Photo by Pascal Le Segretain /Getty Images

Another confidante speaking to PEOPLE said Crawford “is completely in shock over Presley’s devastating death.”

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“She is heartbroken.”

The cause of Gerber’s death has not yet been released, but according to TMZ, police suspect he died as a result of a drug overdose.

TMZ has also spoken to witnesses who claim Gerber appeared to be “under the influence of a substance when he checked into the luxury rehab home” in Santa Monica.

Other sources told the website that Gerber had been given a prescription for ketamine — the same drug that was listed as a contributing cause of Matthew Perry’s death in 2023.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Santa Monica Police said they are “investigating the death as a suspected overdose.”

Crawford said she was ‘proud’ of her kids

Gerber and his younger sister, actress Kaia, followed in their mother’s footsteps by both becoming professional models. Among others, they appeared in campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana and Calvin Klein and became OMEGA ambassadors alongside their mother.

He also appeared in ads for Celine and walked the runway for Moschino.

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Crawford’s son also helped his mom recreate her famous 1992 Pepsi ad for a 2018 remake that aired during that year’s Super Bowl.

The former supermodel told PEOPLE that working with Presley at that point in his career, when he was just 18 years old, was “exciting.”

“We drove to work together, we shared a trailer, and just as a mom watching him perform, I was the proud stage mom standing by the monitor,” she said.

In a May interview with PEOPLE, Crawford reflected on collaborating with her husband and children for their partnership with clothing brand Vuori, saying she was “so proud” of watching her kids work together.

Presley Gerber and Kaia Gerber attend the Daily Front Row’s Fashion Media Awards at Four Seasons Hotel New York on Sept. 8, 2017. Photo by Paul Morigi /Getty Images North America

“It was like watching their interaction with each other. Nothing makes, I think, a parent prouder than when your kids like each other and love each other,” Crawford said at the time.

But away from the spotlight, Gerber struggled with substance abuse.

In 2019, Gerber was charged with a DUI and was ordered to complete a DUI program after the incident.

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According to Page Six, Gerber started opening up in 2024 about his dependency on prescription medication and revealed he had suffered a near-fatal fentanyl overdose that left him in a coma.

Last month, in an interview with Vogue, Kaia spoke about what she called her brother’s “decade-long struggle with drug addiction” and his decision to be open with his fans about his battles.

“When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,” she said.

Gerber’s ex says she’s ‘angry’ about his death

Gerber’s ex-girlfriend Charlotte D’Alessio has also spoken out about his death.

D’Alessio, who dated Gerber for two years starting in 2018, shared a photo of the pair embracing on a dock.

“Shared a pure love with you & for that I thank & honor your life. You deserved more time. You deserved more life. Very angry ab(out) this,” she wrote.

Charlotte D’Alessio shared a tribute to her ex-boyfriend Presley Gerber following his death this week. Photo by Charlotte D’Alessio /Instagram

In another post, she posted a black and white photo of the two, writing, “Love u Pres. always. Up there, down here. Don’t even doubt that. We all love you so much. I hope you can feel it.”

D’Alessio shared other throwback clips and photos, including a short video that showed Presley running down a path as he was followed by a small white dog.

“I will always remember you this way,” D’Alessio captioned the clip.

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