A heavyhearted Rande Gerber was seen paying another solemn visit to the Hollywood Hills residence of his late son, Presley, marking his second trip to the property this week following a tragedy that has profoundly shaken the entertainment community. The 64-year-old businessman arrived at the lushly landscaped estate on Friday driving a black Range Rover. Stepping out of the vehicle, he walked toward the front door with his head down, partially concealed by a baseball cap. Dressed casually in a blue T-shirt, white shorts, and blue sneakers, Gerber spent roughly three hours at the residence accompanied by a male companion. His wife, supermodel Cindy Crawford, did not join him for the afternoon visit. Representatives for both Crawford and Gerber have been reached for comment as the family navigates the early stages of their grief.
The poignant return to the Hollywood Hills home comes in the wake of heartbreaking developments surrounding Presley’s death. The 27-year-old model and entrepreneur passed away unexpectedly from a suspected overdose at an upscale rehabilitation facility located in the high-end neighborhood of Santa Monica, California. According to a death certificate obtained by TMZ, Presley has since been cremated following the completion of an initial autopsy. The official documentation lists his occupation as an entrepreneur who worked in mental health, and records indicate the cremation took place at the Rose Family Funeral Home. Sources close to the family report that Crawford and Gerber intend to keep their son’s ashes at their primary residence in Malibu. While the medical examiner has finished the post-mortem examination, the official cause of death remains pending as authorities await the final toxicology results.
In the wake of the loss, loved ones are actively coordinating funeral arrangements for a small, private ceremony. Sources indicate that family and close friends are considering either Forest Lawn or the Malibu Presbyterian Church to host the service within the week. Throughout the ordeal, the family has been surrounded by a close circle of supporters, including prominent figures such as actress Laura Dern and actor George Clooney, who have rallied around Crawford and Gerber during their profound grief.
New details concerning the circumstances of Presley’s final hours have continued to emerge. According to sources close to the investigation, Presley was discovered inside a bedroom at the Santa Monica rehab facility on September 20. He had reportedly checked into the luxury property just the night before, following a long-standing battle with substance abuse and mental health challenges. Sources with knowledge of the investigation stated that his body was found nearby in the room rather than directly on the bed, though precise details regarding the location within the room were not specified. Investigators have noted that the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl is not a primary focus of the inquiry at this stage, though definitive conclusions regarding any contributing substances will rely entirely on the forthcoming toxicology report from the medical examiner.
The gravity of the morning Presley passed away has been further underscored by emergency dispatch audio obtained by the Daily Mail. The chilling recordings document how rapidly the situation escalated within a matter of minutes. Emergency services were initially alerted at 9:35 a.m. on Sunday, September 20, regarding a suspected cardiac arrest. Just three minutes later, the call was upgraded to an overdose, and by 9:40 a.m., dispatchers elevated the priority level once again.
As questions surround the medical oversight at the facility, sources reported that a physician had allegedly been prescribing Presley ketamine despite a known history of substance struggles. While ketamine has been studied for its potential applications in treating depression and addiction, it is not an FDA-approved treatment for substance dependency, prompting frustration among Presley’s close friends regarding the prescription.
The tragic event cuts short the life of a young man who had spoken candidly about his mental health battles and his desire to heal. Earlier this year, Presley shared updates with his followers regarding a "Pre-ibogaine flood dose" he underwent at a Mexican treatment clinic—a single, high-dose administration of a naturally occurring psychoactive substance derived from an African shrub designed to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and offer a neurological reset. At the time, his parents and younger sister, Kaia, publicly commended his courage. Cindy Crawford praised him as a warrior who walked through the fire, while Kaia and Rande expressed immense pride in his determination to confront his challenges openly.
Presley’s openness marked a notable shift for a family historically known for guarding their privacy. In late 2023, he stepped back from social media to prioritize his well-being before launching "Mental Health Mondays" on Instagram, where he candidly discussed navigating panic attacks, night terrors, and the medications required to manage them. His willingness to strip away the secrecy surrounding addiction resonated deeply with his family. In a recent interview with Vogue, 25-year-old Kaia reflected on the immense emotional toll her brother’s struggles took on their household, noting that a crisis of this magnitude inevitably affects everyone involved and praising Presley for teaching them the value of radical honesty.
From an early age, Presley had seemed destined to follow in his mother’s iconic footsteps within the fashion industry. Signed to IMG Models at just 15 years old, he built a successful career that included high-profile campaigns for major luxury houses such as Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, and a memorable 2018 Pepsi advertisement alongside Crawford. Despite professional success, he navigated severe personal and mental health hurdles, including an arrest for driving under the influence in 2019.
As news of his passing reverberated across the fashion world, tributes poured in from friends and former partners. Among them was his ex-girlfriend, Canadian model Charlotte D’Alessio, who shared an emotional carousel of personal photographs and nostalgic video clips on Instagram. Reflecting on their two-year relationship that began in 2018, the 28-year-old model captioned her tribute with a farewell message to the late star, writing that they would remain connected for life. Presley was also previously linked to reality television personality Lexi Wood and model Cayley King. As the Gerber family prepares to bid their final farewell, the community of friends, family, and admirers continues to remember Presley for his vulnerability, his warmth, and his courageous fight for health.
