Cindy Crawford's son Presley Gerber passes away at 27

Presley Gerber, the son of American supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, has died at the age of 27.

He passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at a rehabilitation facility, as reported by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

Allie Jenkins, a representative for Crawford and Rande Gerber, confirmed his death. She said, “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time,” in an email sent on Monday, September 21, according to the Associated Press.

The cause of death has not been released yet since an autopsy is still pending.

So, who was Presley Gerber, the person who has grabbed so much attention after his death?

He was Cindy Crawford’s only son.

Presley Walker Gerber was born on July 2, 1999, in Beverly Hills, California. He was the only son of Crawford, one of the most famous models of the 1990s, and Rande Gerber, a businessman in the hospitality industry.

He was also the older brother of model and actress Kaia Gerber. Crawford and Rande Gerber got married in 1998 and raised their two children in California.

He started modelling as a teenager.

Presley followed in his mother’s footsteps and began modelling professionally as a teenager. He signed with IMG Models at the age of 15.

His runway debut was for Moschino at the brand's Los Angeles show in June 2016, when he was just 16. Speaking to Vogue before the show, Gerber said he was surprised by how much he enjoyed modelling.

“Honestly, I have enjoyed [the fashion industry] a lot more than expected,” he told Vogue. He mentioned that he did not feel he had enough experience in fashion before but believed he was ready at that moment.

Gerber later worked with big fashion names like Calvin Klein, Celine, Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry, Bottega Veneta, and Tommy Hilfiger. He also appeared with his younger sister as both built their careers in fashion.

What did Presley Gerber say about modelling?

In a 2016 interview with W magazine, Gerber talked about his nerves during his early runway shows. His main worry was simple: “Don’t fall.”

“That’s all. I was like, ‘Please don’t trip, just make it to the end,’” he told the magazine. By 2018, he felt more at ease in the job.

In a chat with PEOPLE that year, Gerber said working with Kaia made modelling “a lot less lonely.”

Why did he become known for talking about mental health?

In later years, Gerber opened up about his mental health and substance abuse challenges. He talked about these experiences on the Studio 22 podcast in 2023.

“[Mental health] is an issue. It is such a big part of my life. It’s a 24/7 job, and there’s so much to it,” he said. He wanted to use his experiences to help others.

“That’s really what I want to do: help people, whether you’re depressed, you’re struggling with something that is having a negative effect on your body. I mean it could be anything, and there’s no judgment.”

Gerber also shared his mistakes and what he hoped others could learn from them. “What I hope I can do is have made the mistakes for some other people, so they don’t have to make the same mistakes that I made,” he said.

He started sharing content called “Mental Health Mondays”, using social media to discuss mental health and recovery.

What was the “misunderstood” tattoo about?

Gerber got a lot of attention in February 2020 after tattooing the word “misunderstood” on his right cheek. He explained the decision during an Instagram Live session.

“You don’t know how I feel, you’re not in my head,” he said. He added that the tattoo meant, “I don’t feel very understood, I guess.” The tattoo later seemed to have been removed.

He also faced a DUI case.

In January 2019, Gerber was arrested for driving under the influence. TMZ reported that he received three years of probation, was ordered to complete a DUI program, and had to do two days of community service.

This arrest was one of the most talked-about controversies during his late teens.

His sister recently discussed his struggles.

Gerber’s challenges became a topic within his family. In an interview published by Vogue on August 11, 2026, Kaia Gerber spoke about her brother’s battle with drug addiction as a “decade-long struggle.”

She shared that this experience changed her view of her role in the family. “When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,” Kaia said.

She also praised Presley’s choice to be open about his experiences, noting that their parents had always been very private.

“And now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, ‘I’m gonna be very human for everyone,’” she said. “There’s only so much you can hide from the world. And trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you’re ashamed of them.”

His final years showed his openness.

In December 2025, Gerber shared an Instagram video discussing his struggles and his efforts to get help. According to PEOPLE, he talked about medication he used to manage panic attacks and why he wanted to share his experiences publicly.

“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 said. He wished his openness would help others feel less alone.

“I say all of this, a lot of people will at least know that there’s someone else going through it,” he said.

His death.

Gerber died on September 20, 2026, at 27. The records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner showed that he died at a rehabilitation facility, but the cause is still pending an autopsy.

The family, through their representative, has asked for privacy during this time. Gerber is survived by his parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, and his sister, Kaia Gerber.