In September 2026, millions of Americans typed a painful question into Google: who was Presley Gerber? The 27-year-old son of supermodel Cindy Crawford died at a sober-living home in Santa Monica, California, on September 20, 2026. In the days that followed, the country learned his full story. He had lived much of his life in the spotlight while fighting battles few people could see.
This is the story of Presley Gerber: the model, the mental health advocate, and the son, brother, and friend whose death at 27 left Hollywood heartbroken.
Presley Gerber: Quick Facts
- Full name: Presley Walker Gerber
- Born: July 2, 1999, Brentwood, Los Angeles, California
- Died: September 20, 2026, Santa Monica, California (age 27)
- Parents: Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber
- Sister: Kaia Gerber
- Known for: Modeling career, mental health advocacy
The Early Life of Presley Gerber
To understand who was Presley Gerber, start with the family he was born into. Presley Walker Gerber arrived on July 2, 1999, in Brentwood, Los Angeles. His mother, Cindy Crawford, ranks among the most recognizable supermodels in history. On his father’s side, Rande Gerber co-founded Casamigos tequila with George Clooney and built a successful business career.
Presley grew up in Malibu as the older brother of Kaia Gerber. Kaia later built her own successful career as a model and actress. Presley graduated from Malibu High School in 2017 — a local kid from a globally famous family.
Still, many celebrity children avoid the family business. Presley walked straight into it — on his own terms.
Presley Gerber’s Modeling Career
Presley signed with IMG Models at just 15. He made his runway debut at 16, walking for Moschino’s Resort 2017 show in Los Angeles. The fashion world quickly noticed the teenager with the famous last name and undeniable presence.
Over the next several years, he walked runways for Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren. His campaign work included Calvin Klein, Celine, and Omega. In 2018, he appeared with his mother in a Pepsi commercial during the Super Bowl. In fact, that single moment introduced him to tens of millions of viewers at once.
As a result, industry recognition followed. In 2017, Models.com readers named him Breakout Star of the year in the men’s category. Two years later, he signed with DNA Model Management. Behind the camera, he also loved photography. He ran an Instagram account under the name “kbyp,” where he shared photographs he had taken of his sister Kaia.
Presley Gerber’s Final Year in the Public Eye
Presley stayed visible at industry events through 2026. In January, he attended the Los Angeles premiere of “Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir.” Then in May, he appeared with his family at the RE/DONE x Kaia Gerber launch event in Los Angeles. After September 20, searches for who was Presley Gerber surged across the United States. Meanwhile, the public tried to piece together his story.
Struggles Behind the Spotlight
However, Presley’s life carried real hardship. For example, in January 2019, police arrested him on a DUI charge. He later pleaded no contest. A court sentenced him to three years of probation, community service, and a DUI education program.
More significantly, Presley spoke openly about his battles with depression, anxiety, and addiction. Few young public figures show that level of honesty. He ran an Instagram series called “Mental Health Mondays.” He used his platform to talk candidly about his own experiences and help others.
In February 2023, he appeared on the Studio 22 podcast and summed up his mission in one sentence: “Whether I help one person or a hundred people get out of that place that I was in at one point in my life, that’s all I need to do.”
In the summer of 2026, he spoke at a mental-health event in Malibu. There, he described a turning point in his recovery journey at age 23. He also reflected on the unique pressures of growing up under constant public scrutiny, according to coverage of the event.
What Happened: Presley Gerber’s Death in September 2026
On the morning of September 20, 2026, police rushed to a sober-living facility on Berkeley Street in Santa Monica. The facility sits in the 1000 block of Berkeley Street. Emergency dispatchers received the cardiac-arrest call at around 9:35 a.m. Paramedics pronounced Presley Gerber dead at the scene at 9:45 a.m. He was 27 years old.
The Santa Monica Police Department said the death appeared to be a suspected overdose. In fact, officers found no indication of foul play, and an investigation began. Workers completed an autopsy the following day. Officials deferred the official cause of death pending further investigation.
Reports citing unnamed insiders said Gerber had checked into the facility the night before his death. Those reports identified the facility as Resolutions Living. Days later, Page Six published what it described as video of Gerber. The footage showed him filming himself in a shared bedroom there that Saturday night. Later reporting also scrutinized the facility’s parent company, Resolutions Therapeutic Services.
The Gerber family released a brief statement. They asked for privacy “during this very difficult and painful time.”
Tributes Pour In for Presley Gerber
In the days after his death, more people asked who was Presley Gerber. Tributes poured in from friends, fellow models, and celebrities who had known him.
Paris Hilton wrote on Instagram Stories that he was a “kind and beautiful soul” with “such a gentle heart.” Brooklyn Beckham posted: “Presley, you were the kindest. We’re going to miss you so much.” Model Brody Jenner wrote simply, “Love you brother.”
His ex-girlfriend, model Charlotte D’Alessio, shared an emotional tribute: “Shared a pure love with you & for that I thank & honor your life… You deserved more time.” Another former girlfriend, Lexi Wood, called him “one of the kindest, most open, loving and courageous people” she had known. She added: “He fought so hard for his life.”
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The Legacy Presley Gerber Leaves Behind
Presley Gerber’s parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, survive him. So does his sister Kaia. He was 27.
So who was Presley Gerber beyond the headlines? Many will remember his modeling career. Even more will remember his willingness to speak openly about mental health and addiction. Indeed, these subjects still carry enormous stigma, especially for young men. His “Mental Health Mondays” series and public honesty comforted followers who were fighting similar battles of their own.
Above all, his death reminds us of a painful truth: struggle does not discriminate. It does not care about wealth, fame, or family. The conversations he started still matter, and they must continue.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or addiction, help is available around the clock. In the United States, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).
Frequently Asked Questions: Who Was Presley Gerber?
Who was Presley Gerber? He was an American model and mental health advocate, best known as the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber. He signed with IMG Models at 15, walked runways for Moschino, Burberry, and Dolce & Gabbana, and used his platform to speak openly about depression, anxiety, and addiction before his death at 27 in September 2026.
Presley Gerber was found dead on the morning of September 20, 2026, at a sober-living facility in Santa Monica, California. Police said the death appeared to be a suspected overdose with no indication of foul play, and the official cause of death was deferred pending further investigation.
Presley Gerber was 27 years old. He was born on July 2, 1999, in Brentwood, Los Angeles, and died on September 20, 2026.
His parents are supermodel Cindy Crawford and Casamigos tequila co-founder Rande Gerber. His younger sister is model and actress Kaia Gerber.
He was known for his modeling career — including a 2018 Super Bowl Pepsi commercial alongside his mother — and for his mental health advocacy through his “Mental Health Mondays” Instagram series, where he spoke candidly about his struggles with depression, anxiety, and addiction.
