The fashion world is reeling from the death of Presley Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber. The model was 27 years old and passed away on Sunday, September 20, while staying at a rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles.
The death was confirmed by the Los Angeles County medical examiner. To date, the official cause has not been determined and the autopsy is pending. Local media report that the Santa Monica Police Department is investigating the death as a possible overdose, though there has been no official confirmation of this hypothesis.
Amid the shock of the news, a particular interview given by Presley’s sister, Kaia Gerber, to Vogue just weeks earlier drew heightened attention. In it, she spoke in greater detail than before about her brother’s battles with addiction and how that situation had affected the entire family.
What Kaia Gerber Had Said About Her Brother’s Addictions
In the interview published on August 11, Kaia explained that Presley’s situation had also shaped how she defined her own place within the family.
“When something like that happens in a family, it somehow levels everyone. I think that’s why I began to see myself as the one who didn’t cause trouble and never asked for help, because it felt overwhelming to have two children who needed attention,” she shared.
Her words exposed a family dynamic that had, for years, revolved around concern and the need to support Presley throughout his journey.
Kaia also addressed the difficulty of articulating one’s own needs in that environment. The model explained that she often chose a quieter role to avoid adding another worry for her parents.
Kaia’s Admiration for Presley’s Choice to Be Open About It
Despite the pain and the hurdles they faced, Kaia underscored the decision her brother made to make his experiences public.
“For most of our lives, my parents have been very, very private and shared nothing, and now we have this true teacher, my brother, who says: ‘I will present myself as very human to the world,’” she said.
The model also reflected on the consequences of concealing problems within a family. “There is a limit to what can be hidden from the world. And trying to silence something only makes the person feel that you’re ashamed of them,” she maintained.
Presley Gerber’s Journey in the Fashion World
Presley was born on July 2, 1999, in California and grew up under public scrutiny as the son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber. Yet from adolescence he began to chart his own path in the fashion industry.
He signed with IMG Models at the age of 15 and later worked for major brands, participating in campaigns and runway shows around the world. Among them were Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino, and Céline. He also collaborated on fashion projects with his sister Kaia.
In 2019, he also faced a legal episode tied to a DUI arrest, for which he received three years of probation and was required to complete a substance-use program related to his driving under the influence.
In recent years, Presley had begun to speak more openly about his mental health struggles and substance use. In December 2025 he posted a video on his social media channels discussing his difficulties with various treatments and his wish to help others going through similar experiences. The content was later removed.
After the news of his death broke, the family requested privacy during this moment of deep sorrow.
In this light, Kaia’s words from just a few weeks earlier take on a particularly meaningful dimension. Her testimony had not only highlighted Presley’s personal battle but also illustrated the impact that addiction can have on those who stand by someone for years.
