Cindy Crawford has broken her silence on the death of her son Presley Gerber. The supermodel shared an emotional family tribute on Instagram on Sunday, October 18, nearly a month after the 27-year-old’s death. The post included a black-and-white portrait of her son — the family’s first public statement since his passing.
“We are beyond heartbroken to lose our beloved son and brother,” the statement read. “We feel so blessed to have had Presley in our lives for 27 years. He is a sweet, beautiful soul who loved and is loved, now and forever.”
The message was signed “Mom, Dad and Kaia” — speaking for Crawford, her husband Rande Gerber, and their daughter Kaia Gerber. The family said they were proud of how Presley “showed up in the world, with kindness and vulnerability.” They also thanked friends, loved ones, and even strangers for their support. “‘Til we meet again our sweet boy. We love you forever,” it concluded.
Cindy Crawford’s Tribute to Presley Gerber: What She Shared
Artist Sebastian Faena created the black-and-white portrait in the post, according to The Wrap. It shows Presley smiling — a quiet, dignified image for a family that had said almost nothing publicly for four weeks.
Kaia Gerber, 25, also shared her own tribute to her older brother. “You know how much I loved being your sister,” she wrote. “It has always been, and will forever be, my favourite thing about myself,” Parade reported.
The tribute marked the first time Crawford, 60, or Rande Gerber, 64, had spoken at length about losing their son. In the immediate aftermath, a family representative issued only a brief statement asking for privacy. Officials still have not released the cause of death, and the family’s silence only deepened public attention.
Presley Gerber: A Timeline of His Life and Final Weeks
Presley Walker Gerber was born on July 2, 1999, in Los Angeles. He was the elder child of Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber. He followed his mother and younger sister into modeling. He signed with IMG Models at 15. He made his runway debut at Moschino’s Resort show in Los Angeles at 16. He later worked with major fashion houses, for example Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger. In 2018, he also appeared alongside his mother in a Pepsi Super Bowl commercial.
Behind the campaigns, however, Presley spoke openly about his struggles with mental health and addiction. In December 2025, he posted a candid Instagram video naming substances he had tried, hoping it would help others. He also ran a weekly “Mental Health Mondays” series on Instagram. In addition, in March 2026 he told followers he was beginning another round of treatment. His sister Kaia discussed his battles in a September Vogue cover story, calling him “an absolute teacher” she looked up to.
Here is the confirmed timeline of his final weeks:
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| March 2026 | Presley tells followers he is starting another round of addiction treatment. |
| September 20, 2026 | Santa Monica police respond to a rehab facility at about 9:35 a.m. and find Presley, 27, dead. Police call it a suspected overdose investigation, with no sign of foul play. |
| September 21, 2026 | The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirms the death. The office completes the autopsy but defers the cause and manner pending toxicology. |
| October 9, 2026 | Family friend George Clooney calls the death “one of the most devastating things” at the Albies in London. |
| October 18, 2026 | Cindy Crawford posts the family’s first full public tribute on Instagram. |
Separate confirmed facts from reports: officials have not established the cause of death. Police call it a suspected overdose, but the medical examiner’s toxicology results will decide the final finding — a process that can take months.
Questions Around the Santa Monica Facility
Presley’s death has also drawn scrutiny to the Santa Monica sober-living residence where he died. Reporting has compared unlicensed recovery homes with licensed treatment centers, raising questions about admission practices and oversight at facilities without on-site medical care. Officials have released no findings so far, and the investigation remains ongoing.
What’s Next for the Crawford-Gerber Family
For now, the grieving family has asked for privacy while toxicology results remain pending and the police investigation stays open.
Meanwhile, tributes continue to arrive. Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and Paris Hilton were among those who honored Presley after his death. Extra reported that George Clooney — a decades-long friend and business partner of Rande Gerber — also spoke about the loss, calling it “one of the most devastating things” to touch their extended family.
Nearly a month after his death, Cindy Crawford’s tribute to Presley Gerber reads like a family still finding its footing. Finally, they chose to remember Presley for how he lived rather than how he died. For more on the story’s beginning, read our original report on Presley Gerber’s death. You can also see the stars we lost in September 2026 and browse our full 2026 memorial.
