The late model spoke about his drug and mental health struggles before his death at age 27.

Presley Gerber’s mental health struggles, in his own words

The late model spoke about his drug and mental health struggles before his death at age 27.

By Shelby Stivale

Shelby Stivale

Shelby Stivale is a senior writer at **. She has been working at EW since July 2026. Her work has previously appeared on Us Weekly and J-14.

EW's editorial guidelines

September 21, 2026 10:42 a.m. ET

Presley Gerber at the ‘Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir’ premiere in January. Credit:

Frazer Harrison/Getty

- Presley Gerber died at age 27 on Sept. 20.

- The model discussed his mental health struggles and treatments in the months leading up to his death.

- Presley was the only son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, who are also the parents to daughter Kaia Gerber.

Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber are mourning the death of their only son, Presley Gerber.

* *confirmed on Sept. 20 that the model died at age 27 at a rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles, according to medical examiner records. “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time,” a rep for the Crawford-Gerber family told EW when the family was reached for comment. Cindy and Rande, who wed in 1998, are also parents to 25-year-old daughter Kaia.

According to TMZ, who was the first to report the news, an autopsy has yet to be completed. However, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner Records reveal that an investigator has been assigned to Presley’s case.

Rande Gerber, Cindy Crawford, and Presley Gerber in 2024.

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Ahead of his death, Presley spoke candidly about his mental health and drug addiction struggles. The model was praised late last year for sharing an Instagram video (which has since been deleted) breaking down his medication regimen after years of drug abuse and mental health struggles.

“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,” Presley said in the December 2025 clip. “And the second thing is, hopefully I find some people out here and are willing to help or know someone that can help.”

Scroll down to look back at Presley’s struggles in his own words — and what his family has said.

2019: His arrest and DUI

Presley had his first brush with the law in January 2019 when he was arrested and charged with a DUI while driving in Beverly Hills. He pleaded no contest later that year and was eventually sentenced to three years probation, community service, and a DUI program.

February 2023: The *Studio 22 *podcast appearance

Presley Gerber attends ‘Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir’ in January.

Stefanie Keenan/Getty

When Presley appeared on the *Studio 22* podcast, he spoke about his history of depression and “some other things that come along with that.” The model explained that dealing with his mental health is a “24/7 job” and his goal is to help people.

“That’s what I really want to do — help people get out of whether you’re depressed [or] struggling with something that’s having a negative effect on your body,” Presley said. 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.”

March 2020: Responding to critics

After Presley got the word “MISUNDERSTOOD” tattooed on his right cheek, he responded to critics in an Instagram post. “Most and a lot of people can get a face lifts, change genders, lip injections, etc and it’s offensive to say anything in today’s age but I get a little face tattoo and now people love to hate me,” he wrote at the time.

Several social media users also captured a clip from Presley’s Instagram Live, explaining the tattoo. He admitted to feeling misunderstood throughout his “entire life.” He eventually got the tattoo removed in 2021.

December 2025: Getting real about his ups and downs

Presley Gerber, Kaia Gerber, Cindy Crawford, and Rande Gerber in May 2026.

Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty

In a since-deleted Instagram video, Presley revealed that he was on opiates, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and ketamine drips, among other treatments as part of an extensive medication regimen. Presley explained at the time that he had seen 15 psychiatrists but didn’t have “as much direction” as he wanted regarding his medication.

“I don’t know if it’s a little bit or a lot, who f---ing knows at this point anymore,” he said. “All these 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.”

March 2026: Breaking down his treatment plan

Presley posted one Mental Health Monday message on social media explaining that he was undergoing ibogaine treatment. The Iboga Wellness Institute explains the treatment, which is not currently legal in the United States, as a therapeutic flood doe which can often be used to “treat opioid and other substance use disorders.” The treatment is derived from the “root bark of the African plant Tabernanthe iboga.”

Presley captioned the video with an inspirational message, telling fans that he hopes this is the “last time I have to come back.” The clip was a “quiet moment before everything changed,” he wrote.

“I was absolutely terrified, and I knew I would be again if I ever had to face something like this (helps to not go into the situations you do that get ya there but that’s life sometimes),” Presley’s caption read. “My mantras were love yourself and lis gotta be the last time for this reason. Letting go of control didn’t come easy, but I trusted there was something bigger than me guiding it. I knew why i was there. I faced what I had been running from, and somewhere in all of it, i started finding my way back to myself.”

August 2026: Kaia comments on her brother’s struggles

Kaia and Presley Gerber in February 2024.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty

Presley’s younger sister, Kaia, made a rare comment about growing up alongside her brother while promoting her FX show *The Shards*. The model admitted during an interview with *Vogue** *that she “started to self-​identify” as Cindy and Rande’s “easy” child. Kaia said she “never wanted to ask” her parents for help because of Presley.

“It felt like too much to have two children who were needing,” she explained. Kaia added that “when something like that happens in a family,” referencing her brother, “it kind of levels everyone.”

She also praised Presley for making the decision to speak publicly about his experiences.

“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,’” 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.”

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

*If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at **988lifeline.org** 24/7.*

*If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.*

- Celebrities & Creators

- Celebrity Death News

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Celebrity”