Inside Presley Gerber’s long and public battle with substance abuse

Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, died in September 2026 at a Los Angeles rehab facility of a suspected overdose after years of struggling with substance abuse. His family released a joint statement requesting privacy during the difficult time, while reflecting on the vulnerability he often showed in discussing his personal experiences.

Presley's public challenges began years prior to his passing. In December 2018, when he was 19 years old, he was arrested for a DUI in California after failing a field sobriety test. He subsequently pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge and received a sentence of three years of probation, alongside an order to complete a DUI program and two days of community service. By February 2020, he was spotted at a drug-testing facility shortly after debuting a face tattoo.

Although he did not speak publicly about his addiction until 2024, Presley offered rare insight into his mental health struggles the previous year. During an appearance on the “Studio 22” podcast in March 2023, he expressed a desire to help others by sharing the lessons learned from his own mistakes. He also noted at the time that he was regularly attending therapy to manage depression and other related challenges. By 2024, he began sharing updates via Instagram Stories to maintain personal accountability.

Later in 2024, Presley launched a weekly Instagram series titled “Mental Health Mondays,” where he discussed topics ranging from dealing with triggers to battling shame. He also spoke candidly about his history with various medications and treatments. In a detailed December 2025 Instagram video, he announced that he was five months sober from alcohol and shared a transparent breakdown of his medication history in an effort to make others feel less isolated. He attributed part of his struggles to recent losses and noted that he was trying to surround himself with positive influences.

In March 2026, Presley reflected on a stay at a wellness clinic in Cancún, Mexico, where he underwent ibogaine treatment. He shared on social media that the experience allowed him to confront what he had been running from. His family members expressed immense pride in him in the comments section of his post. TMZ reported that his parents were informed of his passing following a suspected overdose at a rehab facility.

One month prior to his passing, his sister, Kaia Gerber, praised his transparency in an interview with Vogue, highlighting his willingness to be human and open with the world about his journey. The family continues to navigate their grief while remembering his efforts to support others dealing with similar struggles.