Supermodel Cindy Crawford offered heartfelt public praise for her son, Presley Gerber, calling him a "warrior" just months before his tragic passing at the age of 27.
The devastating news of Presley’s death on Sunday at a rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles County, as reported by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner and TMZ, has plunged the iconic entertainment family into profound mourning. As fans and the fashion community reel from the sudden loss, a poignant spotlight has turned back on the family’s public displays of unity, resilience, and open dialogue regarding mental health and addiction that defined Presley’s final months.
The tight-knit family, including Cindy Crawford, 60, her husband Rande Gerber, 64, and their 25-year-old daughter Kaia Gerber, had publicly rallied around Presley in March. At the time, the young model and former fashion fixture took to Instagram to share a vulnerable and transparent account of undergoing an intensive Ibogaine treatment in Mexico.
Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive substance derived from an African shrub. In recent years, it has gained significant attention and research backing for its reported ability to help mitigate severe withdrawal symptoms and effectively reset brain pathways for individuals struggling with long-term addiction and trauma.
Following Presley’s candid social media disclosure about the harrowing experience, his immediate family members filled the comments section with messages of overwhelming pride and unwavering support. Cindy Crawford wrote, "You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud!" Kaia added, "That’s my brother. I am so damn proud." Rande Gerber similarly expressed his admiration, writing, "I’m so proud of you and your courage. Facing what’s hard takes real strength and watching you find your way back to yourself is everything. I love you so much."
In the detailed caption accompanying his March Instagram post, Presley opened up about the emotional and psychological toll of the procedure. Writing before a "flood dose" of the treatment, he described a quiet moment before everything changed. "I was absolutely terrified, and I knew I would be again if I ever had to face something like this (helps to not go into the situations you do that get ya there but that’s life sometimes)," he shared with his followers.
He continued, detailing his personal mantras and the difficult process of relinquishing control. "My mantras were love yourself and this’s gotta be the last time for this reason. Letting go of control didn’t come easy, but I trusted there was something bigger than me guiding it. I knew why I was there. I faced what I had been running from, and somewhere in all of it, I started finding my way back to yourself… We shall see… Praying it’s the last time I have to come back."
Presley also expressed gratitude for the medical professionals who cared for him during the vulnerable process, adding notes of encouragement using hashtags focused on mental health and brain rewiring.
Despite its potential therapeutic applications, ibogaine remains a controversial and heavily regulated substance. Classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States since 1967, it has nonetheless drawn increasing attention from public figures and researchers alike. Notable figures such as musician Melissa Etheridge—who lost her 21-year-old son Beckett to a fentanyl overdose in 2020—and former NBA star Lamar Odom have previously endorsed the alternative treatment’s potential benefits for addiction recovery.
Furthermore, a landmark study published by Stanford University in January 2024 reported that ibogaine treatment significantly improved symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder in a cohort of military veterans. Neurologist Deborah Mash explained to the Washington Post in March 2024 that the substance works by promoting the growth of neural networks in damaged brains, effectively helping to heal neurological pathways disrupted by substance use and trauma.
While the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that Presley passed away on Sunday at a rehab facility, his official cause of death has not yet been publicly revealed. In the wake of the tragedy, a representative for Cindy Crawford released a brief statement to the Daily Mail, saying, "The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time."
The heartbreaking loss follows a period where Presley and his family had begun speaking with increasing openness about his struggles. Just last month, Kaia Gerber discussed how her brother’s journey with mental health and substance use profoundly impacted the entire household in an interview with Vogue. "When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone," she told the publication.
Presley began his career in the fashion industry at the tender age of 15, quickly following in his mother’s legendary footsteps by securing major campaigns for prominent luxury fashion houses, including Dolce & Gabbana and Calvin Klein. However, beneath the glamour of the runway, he faced significant personal and mental health challenges from a young age, which included an arrest for driving under the influence in 2019.
By late last year, Presley made the conscious decision to step away from the public eye. In November, he announced he was retreating from social media to focus on his well-being, telling his followers he needed to "take care of my own mental health for a bit."
One month later, in a remarkably candid video shared online, Presley provided a transparent breakdown of the medications he was prescribed to manage severe mental health symptoms, including night terrors and panic attacks. Citing a belief that "honesty is the best policy," he detailed his daily regimen, noting that he was taking 1mg of Buprenorphine twice a day—a medication frequently utilized to treat both chronic pain and opioid use disorders.
He also spoke openly about the fluctuating nature of his benzodiazepine prescriptions, which are designed to slow down activity in the brain and nervous system to alleviate anxiety. Discussing the complex emotional landscape that preceded his treatment, Presley pointed to unspoken grief. "Unfortunately, I’ve had a lot of loss in many different forms recently, so that is not an excuse, but it’s the reason why I am where I’m at now," he shared. Though he did not elaborate on the specific losses he had endured, he mentioned supplementing his regimen with Xanax and Valium when panic attacks became severe.
In the same candid video, Presley voiced frustration regarding the fragmented medical guidance he had received while navigating his psychiatric care. He lamented the lack of structured direction from healthcare providers, contrasting the overwhelming number of pharmaceutical options he was given with a desire for clearer, more unified treatment plans.
Reflecting on her brother’s willingness to share his vulnerabilities, Kaia told Vogue that his transparency felt refreshing in an industry often defined by perfection and privacy. She noted that while her parents had historically shielded their family life from public scrutiny, Presley’s willingness to be human offered a vital lesson. "Now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, ‘I’m gonna be very human for everyone,’" Kaia shared, adding that attempting to hide struggles only isolates those who are suffering.
The deep bond between Presley and his family remained evident throughout his recovery efforts. As recently as May, Presley shared a heartfelt tribute to his father on Instagram, posting a photograph of the two of them paddle boarding together. "I have the best father in the world," Presley wrote at the time. "He’s never given up on me. He’s always there for me. Always has the best advice for me. I appreciate this man more than words can explain. I love you pops. To more paddle boarding days around the world."
Rande Gerber responded with matching affection in the comments section, writing, "I am honored [to] take this ride called life with you over and over any time. Sometimes we may fall but with a little help always get back up. I love you forever Prez." Cindy Crawford similarly chimed in with supportive words for her son, cementing a lifetime of unconditional family love that ultimately stood by him through every step of his journey.
