Cindy Crawford's Son Presley Gerber Dies at 27: His Sister Had Spoken About His Struggles Weeks Earlier, While Paris Hilton Had Just Left a Comment

Presley Gerber's life had increasingly become a story about trying to find his way through struggles he was once determined to keep private. Now, his death has cast new attention on the words his sister, Kaia Gerber, shared weeks earlier — and a message Paris Hilton left on one of his posts shortly before the news emerged.

Presley, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died at a rehab facility in Los Angeles, according to TMZ's report.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's public case record lists Presley's date of death as September 20, 2026, and gives his age as 27.

Presley Died at 27 at a Los Angeles Rehab Facility

The record lists his place of death, but the cause of death and manner of death remain blank while the case is open. The medical examiner's record identifies the case as 2026-14977 and names investigator Kyle Butler. It also states that the case is deferred pending additional investigation.

The family confirmed Presley's death to TMZ through a representative for Cindy, Rande, and Kaia. The family asked for privacy "during this very difficult and painful time."

An autopsy has not yet been completed, so his cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. Presley's death came after years in which he had spoken increasingly openly about mental health, addiction, and his attempts to find a way forward.

He Had Built a Career in Modeling Before Speaking Openly About His Struggles

Presley entered the fashion world while still a teenager. According to CNN, he made his runway debut for Moschino at 16 and later walked for brands including Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren.

He also appeared in campaigns for Calvin Klein, Celine, Pepsi and Omega, while working with magazines including GQ Style and The New York Times Style Magazine.

His career began alongside that of his younger sister, Kaia, who also became a successful model. In a 2023 appearance on the Studio 22 podcast, Presley reflected on how quickly modeling had changed his life. He explained that he and Kaia were both scouted and signed to IMG at young ages, recalling that he was 15 and she was 13 when they joined the agency.

The experience was not simply about fashion for him. On Studio 22, Presley also spoke about depression and his desire to use his platform to help other people struggling with difficult experiences. "It's a 24/7 job, and there's so much to it," he said. Presley added:

"That's really what I want to do — help people, whether you're depressed, you're struggling with something that is hurting your body. It could be anything, and there's no judgment."

Presley Had Already Been Open About Mental Health

Presley later created an initiative called Mental Health Mondays, using his social media presence to encourage conversations about subjects people often kept hidden.

In one of his posts, he explained why the project mattered to him. "It's been a minute since I've posted — I had to step back and take care of my own mental health for a bit." He continued, "But I'm coming back soon — stronger, clearer, more intentional than ever."

Presley said the purpose of Mental Health Mondays was to "spark real conversations about the stuff most people hide. It's been incredible seeing how far that message has spread and how many people it's helped."

He also wrote that he was proud that something he had created had inspired other people and contributed to a wider conversation about openness and healing. "And with November being Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, the timing couldn’t be better to keep the conversation going."

His approach to discussing mental health became even more direct later that year.

In December 2025, He Described a Difficult Search for Treatment

On December 1, 2025, Presley posted a video discussing his mental health journey. The original video has since been deleted on his Instagram, but PEOPLE's report on the video preserved much of what he said. Presley began the video by saying, "I feel like honesty is the best policy…"

He said he was taking several medications, including buprenorphine, Xanax, and Valium, in connection with his struggles with panic attacks. Presley also spoke about the uncertainty he felt surrounding his treatment and the different advice he had received from doctors.

"The doctors say a lot of different things, so it's kind of scary, but hopefully between my research and their research … and God, we can figure this out," he said.

He said he had seen 15 psychiatrists and wanted more structure and direction in his treatment. "I'd like doctors to be like, 'Take this three times a day' … but every psychiatrist I've had — I've had 15 — are like, 'Here's 20 medications and take this if you feel like this …' and I'm like, 'No, don't get me that much leeway.' I need some direction."

Presley also said he had stopped drinking alcohol and was trying to surround himself with people he considered positive influences. "As I've grown up in Hollywood, there's a lot of people around me that I love to death, but right now I try not to be around them," he said.

At the time, Presley said he hoped his honesty would help people who felt isolated in their own struggles. "So you feel like you're not alone, because that is how I feel most of the time and I have a feeling that if I say all of this, a lot of people will at least know that there's someone else going through it," he said.

His Final Public Appearance Came Months Before His Death

Presley's final known public appearance came in May 2026, when he stepped out with his family to support Kaia at the launch of her Re/Done collection. The appearance brought Presley, Kaia, Cindy, and Rande together publicly, making the photograph one of the last known images of the family together.

In the image, Presley stands alongside his sister and parents at the event. The family appearance took place months before his death and would later take on a different significance following the news of his passing.

The images also prompted an immediate wave of emotional reactions from people reflecting on how Presley looked and the apparent progress they believed he had made.

One commenter wrote, "Good-looking young man. So sad 😢" Another reacted, "Nooooooo. This is unbearable 💔" A third commenter said, "So devastating! He looked the best he had in years; I thought he was doing much better. Earth-shattering for his beautiful family 💔💔"

Another person wrote, "This is so heartbreaking." One commenter questioned the circumstances surrounding his death, writing, "He looks totally healthy. Could've fooled me, but how do you die in rehab???" Another person wrote, "He was a handsome kid, so very sorry."

On Facebook, another commenter expressed sympathy for the family, saying, "Sad, especially when he was trying to get help. Sorry for his family; his sister left alone." Someone else wrote, "Such a handsome young man, very, very sad ..😓 [sic]."

Another commenter reflected on the family's loss, writing, "This makes me want to cry, what a handsome boy he was. So young. Cindy's been through it; this poor girl lost a brother to leukemia, if I remember the story right. And now the loss of her son."

"They all seemed really close and supportive of one another. Addiction is heartbreaking. May he rest in peace, and may this family find peace and strength. I'm so sorry 🙏💔," the comment continued.

The following month, Presley took part in a candid panel discussion about mental health at the We Are ENOUGH x Aviator Nation launch event on June 11 at Aviator Nation Dreamland in Malibu.

Cindy and Rande were on hand as their son reflected on his mental health journey, noting that he started to overcome the pressure he felt to present himself in a certain way by embracing vulnerability, according to People. As Presley said during the panel, per the outlet, "The most free I felt was when I was finally honest with myself."

Presley also offered advice for navigating difficult days, encouraging those in attendance to get outside and incorporate movement into their routines. "Move your body regardless of how you’re feeling. Get outside. Get some sun,” he said. “If you don’t feel like moving, lay on the grass."

One of His Last Instagram Posts Showed a Very Different Side of Him

Presley's final months also included a much more casual glimpse of his life away from public events. On August 6, he shared a carousel of photographs from a lush garden, posing barefoot in an all-black outfit as he smiled and looked relaxed in front of the camera.

In the first photo, Presley stands on the grass with both hands in his pockets, wearing a backward black baseball cap, black T-shirt, and loose black pants. He looks downward with a relaxed, slightly serious expression, while tattoos are visible along his arms and a small red tattoo appears on his neck.

In the second photo, he turns slightly toward the camera and gives a subtle smile. His tattoos are visible along his arm as he keeps one hand in his pocket, with the leafy garden, palm trees, and vine-covered black wall filling the background.

In the third photo, Presley appears more playful, tilting his head to one side and smiling broadly at the camera. He remains barefoot with his hands in his pockets, surrounded by dense greenery.

The fourth photo captures a more candid moment, with Presley looking down toward his pants while touching the waistband or pocket area. His tattoos are visible on his arms and hands as he stands barefoot against the same lush backdrop.

The casual carousel showed Presley in a lighter moment, away from the discussions about treatment and addiction that had increasingly shaped the public conversation around him.

Paris Hilton Had Just Left a Message on the Post

The same August carousel would become significant again on September 20. Paris Hilton commented on the post 12 hours before her comment was captured, writing, "Love you, bro, 🥰🫶"

The comment itself did not mention Presley's death, and the available sources do not establish what Paris knew when she left it. Later, after news of his death emerged, Paris shared a much longer tribute on her Instagram Story. Paris wrote that she was "completely heartbroken" and said she still could not believe what had happened.

"Presley, you were such a beautiful soul. So sweet, sensitive, kind, and genuine. I cared about you so much, and I'm going to miss you more than words can say." She continued:

"I'll always cherish the memories we shared — the laughs, the conversations, and just being around you. You had such a gentle heart, and there was something so special about you that anyone who was lucky enough to know you could feel. 🥺"

Paris then wrote, "I hope you knew how deeply loved you were and how many people cared about you." She also addressed Presley's family. "My heart is with your entire family during this unimaginable time. 💔" And she ended her tribute by writing, "Rest in peace, my friend. I love you forever. You will be so deeply missed. 🥺🕊️"

Kaia Had Spoken About His Decade-Long Struggle Just Weeks Earlier

The timing of Kaia's interview now adds another layer to the story. In her September cover story for Vogue, published weeks before Presley's death, Kaia spoke about her family and the effect her older brother’s decade-long struggle with drug addiction had on her own childhood and development.

In Kaia's Vogue interview, she described how having a sibling who needed help affected the way she saw herself. "When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone," Kaia explained.

She said the situation contributed to her identifying herself as "the easy one" and avoiding asking for help herself. "I think that's also why I started to self-identify as the easy one and never wanted to ask for help. Because it felt like too much to have two children who were needing."

The comments offered a rare glimpse into how Presley's struggles had affected someone closest to him. Kaia also made clear that she was deeply proud of her brother, particularly because of his willingness to be open about what he was experiencing. She recalled how her parents had traditionally kept family matters private, but said Presley had taken a different approach.

"My parents for most of our lives were very, very private and didn't share anything — and now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, 'I'm gonna be very human for everyone.' There's only so much you can hide from the world."

Kaia added, "And trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you're ashamed of them." Her comments were published only weeks before Presley died.

He Was Still Trying Different Ways to Get Help

Presley's December discussion was not his only public attempt to document his recovery. Around March, six months before his death, he posted from Cancun while beginning an ibogaine treatment, describing it as an attempt to "reset" his brain.

In the post, Presley wrote that he was terrified before the treatment and described confronting experiences he had been running from. "I faced what I had been running from, and somewhere in all of it, I started finding my way back to myself 🤍…. We shall see…. Praying it's the last time I have to come back. Next time I'd like to choose 😜 🙏🏻"

He also thanked the team involved in his treatment and said he had made friends during the experience. The UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics describes ibogaine as a naturally occurring psychoactive compound found in the root bark of Tabernanthe iboga, a shrub native to Central and West Africa.

The center also warns that ibogaine can be dangerous, noting reports of fatal cardiac events and other potential side effects. Stanford Medicine separately reported research into ibogaine involving military veterans with traumatic brain injuries.

Neither source establishes any connection between ibogaine and Presley's death. His cause of death remains undisclosed, and the medical examiner's case is still open.

His Struggles Had Been Visible Long Before This Year

Presley had faced public scrutiny from a young age. In 2019, at 19, he was arrested for DUI after Beverly Hills police stopped him for speeding. TMZ reported at the time that officers said he smelled of alcohol and failed a field sobriety test.

His attorney, Scott Spindel, said Presley took the allegations seriously and was taking steps to address them. The incident came shortly before another period of intense attention surrounding Presley's appearance. In 2020, he debuted a "misunderstood" face tattoo, which drew considerable reaction online.

By 2021, E! News reported that the tattoo appeared to have been removed. Through those years, his parents publicly stood by him. An E! News source said in 2020 that Cindy and Rande wanted Presley "to be happy and to be who he is," while acknowledging their concern.

Cindy Continued to Celebrate Her Son

Even as Presley dealt with his struggles, his family continued to publicly celebrate him. On July 2, Cindy marked his 27th birthday with a loving message, "Happy birthday, Presley Gerber 🎂 I'm so proud of the man you've become, but I’ll always see you as my little boy! Love you.❤️"

The post came less than three months before his death. It was another public glimpse of the close relationship between mother and son, one that had continued alongside the more difficult chapters of Presley's life.

A Family That Had Largely Kept Personal Matters Private

That history makes Kaia's recent comments particularly striking. The family had generally maintained a private approach to personal matters, something Kaia herself acknowledged in Vogue.

Presley's decision to speak openly about mental health represented a noticeable change from that tradition. His own words showed that he understood the vulnerability involved:

"I'm gonna be very human for everyone."

That sentiment became one of the clearest threads connecting the different chapters of Presley Gerber's story: his modeling career, his struggles, his attempts at several treatments, and his efforts to turn his experiences into something that might help other people.

His Mental Health Mondays posts similarly emphasized openness rather than hiding difficult experiences. And in 2023, he told Studio 22 that helping people struggling with depression or other problems was something he wanted to do without judgment.