Presley Gerber had spent years speaking unusually openly about his struggles with mental health and substance use, hoping that his experiences might help others facing similar challenges. In 2023, he discussed depression, recovery, and the importance of recognizing both the positive and negative signs when seeking help. He later created “Mental Health Mondays,” where he talked about therapy, treatment, exercise, nutrition, and his own setbacks. By November 2025, Presley acknowledged that he had needed to step away temporarily to focus on his own mental health. His December 2025 discussion about treatment revealed just how complicated his search for stability had become. He said he had consulted around 15 psychiatrists, received conflicting opinions, and desperately wanted clearer guidance. Presley described medications, detox efforts, and different therapies, while saying he was looking for a doctor who could help him safely taper certain medications. In March 2026, he traveled to Mexico for ibogaine treatment, describing himself as “absolutely terrified” before undergoing the procedure. Dr. Drew Pinsky later questioned the effectiveness of ibogaine and other alternative treatments, based on his own professional experience. Through it all, Presley continued trying different approaches while publicly documenting his efforts to recover.

On September 19, Presley checked into a Santa Monica recovery facility. According to reports citing people familiar with his final hours, he did not appear sober when he arrived. Less than 12 hours later, he was found unresponsive, and emergency responders were called. He was pronounced dead at 9:45 a.m. on September 20, while his official cause and manner of death remained pending additional testing. Police were reportedly investigating the case as a suspected overdose and examining where any substances involved may have originated. Attention has also turned toward an unnamed physician. TMZ, citing sources described as people who had direct knowledge of Presley’s situation, reported that the doctor had prescribed him ketamine despite allegedly knowing about his history with addiction and previous problems involving the substance. Those reports say some of Presley’s friends are angry about the treatment and believe the doctor should face prosecution. However, those allegations have not been established as fact. Presley himself had previously discussed ketamine publicly, saying he received ketamine and NAD drips during his treatment, alongside medications including Xanax, gabapentin, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and other drugs. His autopsy was completed on September 21, but additional testing was still underway. For his family and friends, the unanswered questions now extend beyond what substance may have been involved to what those caring for Presley knew about his vulnerabilities and treatment history.