Paris Hilton shared an emotional message for Presley Gerber on social media only hours before news of the 27-year-old’s death became public. Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died on September 20, 2026, with a spokesperson confirming his passing. His family has asked for privacy during what they described as an extremely painful and difficult period. Records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner indicate that Presley died at a rehabilitation facility, although an official cause of death had not been determined and an autopsy was still pending at the time of the report. Hilton, who had reportedly been friends with Gerber for years, commented on one of his final Instagram posts, writing, “Love you bro” alongside heart-related emojis. The timing prompted speculation from some social media users, with one person suggesting that Hilton may have already known about his death. However, the timing of her message alone does not establish that she had prior knowledge.

Gerber had maintained friendships with several well-known figures, including Hilton and Brooklyn Beckham, and his final red-carpet appearance reportedly took place at an event connected to Hilton earlier this year. Presley had also spoken publicly about difficult periods in his life, including mental health challenges, depression, substance abuse, and recovery. In a 2025 Instagram video, he discussed wanting to surround himself with positive influences and said he hoped sharing his experiences might help others feel less alone. Just one month before his death, his sister Kaia Gerber spoke with Vogue about her brother’s long-running struggle with drug addiction and explained how deeply the situation had affected their family. Her comments offered a glimpse into the challenges Presley and those closest to him had faced over the years.