Just days before Presley Gerber’s death, Cindy Crawford was speaking about the future, reflecting on life as her children, Presley and Kaia, grew into adulthood and even imagining the possibility of becoming a grandmother someday. At the time, there was no reason to view those comments as anything other than a mother looking ahead. Presley had been open about his struggles with addiction and mental health, and earlier in 2026 he described undergoing treatment and trying to find his way back to himself. Cindy proudly called him a “warrior,” while Kaia expressed how proud she was of her brother. By June, Presley appeared publicly with Cindy and Rande at a mental-health-focused event in Malibu, where he spoke about vulnerability, honesty, and the small things that helped him cope. His family continued to support him through the difficult periods, even as his recovery remained complicated. A source later described his condition in the final weeks as concerning, saying he did not seem like himself. Still, Presley reportedly entered treatment again, giving those closest to him another reason to hope. His family had seen better periods before, including a time when he worked at the family restaurant in Malibu and appeared to be doing well.

That hope makes his September 20 death at 27 especially painful. Presley died at a rehabilitation facility shortly after entering treatment, with police investigating a suspected overdose while an official cause remained pending additional testing as of September 22. Those who knew the family said Cindy and Rande had always been deeply involved in their son’s life and had done everything they could to support him. Kaia had described Presley as an “absolute teacher” because of his willingness to speak honestly about experiences others might hide. She also remembered the brother she knew long before addiction became part of his public story: surfing before school, arriving in his wetsuit, and growing up with her in Malibu. In July, Cindy celebrated Presley’s 27th birthday by expressing how proud she was of the man he had become while reminding him that she would always see him as her little boy. Now, those words carry a different weight. A source close to the family said they were devastated and emphasized that their love and support never stopped. They continued believing Presley would make it through another difficult chapter—never knowing it would be his last.