Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber’s son Presley Gerber had opened up about his battle with addiction and the fear he felt before undergoing an ibogaine treatment months before his death at the age of 27.Presley died on Sunday, September 20, at a rehabilitation facility in California, according to records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. His cause of death has not been disclosed, with a postmortem examination pending. His family has asked for privacy during what it described as an “extremely difficult and painful time.”
Presley Gerber spoke openly about his addiction treatment
In March this year, Presley shared a deeply personal post documenting his experience at a treatment facility in Cancun, Mexico, where he underwent what he described as a “Pre-Ibogaine Flood Dose”.Ibogaine is a psychoactive compound derived from the iboga plant and has been investigated for its potential role in treating substance-use disorders. The treatment remains controversial and is not approved for medical use in the United States.Reflecting on the experience, Presley admitted that he had been frightened before undergoing the treatment.“I was absolutely terrified,” he wrote, adding that “letting go of control didn’t come easy” but that he trusted there was “something bigger than me guiding it.”Presley said he knew why he was at the clinic and described confronting things he had previously been “running from”.“I faced what I had been running from, and somewhere in all of it, I started finding my way back to myself,” he wrote, while hoping that it would be the last time he would need such treatment.
Cindy Crawford called her son a ‘warrior’
Presley’s post prompted emotional messages from his family.His mother, supermodel Cindy Crawford, praised him for his courage, writing, “You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud!”His younger sister Kaia Gerber also commented on the post, writing, “That’s my brother I am so damn proud.”His father, Rande Gerber, similarly expressed his pride in his son.“I’m so proud of you and your courage. Facing what’s hard takes real strength and watching you find your way back to yourself is everything. I love you so much,” he wrote.Presley had described the treatment team at the Cancun facility as “incredible, caring, kind and on-their-s***”, and said he had also formed friendships during his time there.
Presley had been candid about his mental health and substance-use struggles
The model had increasingly spoken publicly about his mental health and addiction struggles in the years before his death.His sister Kaia recently discussed the impact of his decade-long struggle with drug addiction on their family in an interview with Vogue. She described Presley’s willingness to be open about his experiences as “refreshing” and said his honesty had changed the way the family approached difficult subjects.Presley had also previously spoken about depression, panic attacks and medication use. In December 2025, he discussed his treatment in a candid social media video, including medication prescribed for panic attacks and other mental-health difficulties.He had also launched a “Mental Health Mondays” series, using his own experiences to encourage conversations around mental health and addiction.In a 2023 podcast appearance, Presley spoke about wanting to use the mistakes he had made in his own life to help other people struggling with similar issues.
Cindy Crawford’s son Presley Gerber had candidly documented his addiction recovery journey and fears.
What is ibogaine?
Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive compound derived from the iboga plant, which is native to parts of Central Africa. It has attracted interest from researchers studying treatments for substance-use disorders, although it remains an experimental and controversial approach.A 2024 Stanford study involving veterans reported improvements in symptoms of depression, anxiety and functioning following ibogaine treatment, while researchers have continued to study its potential applications and risks.Ibogaine is not approved for medical use in the United States, where it is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. It is nevertheless offered at specialised clinics in some countries, including Mexico.Importantly, there is currently no publicly disclosed evidence establishing a connection between Presley’s ibogaine treatment in March and his death in September. Authorities have not released his cause of death.
Presley Gerber’s modelling career
Presley followed his mother into the fashion industry, beginning his modelling career as a teenager. He was signed by IMG Models and made his runway debut in 2016.He subsequently worked with major fashion brands including Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana and appeared alongside Cindy Crawford in a 2018 Pepsi Super Bowl commercial.He also faced legal trouble in 2019 after being arrested for driving under the influence.Despite his professional success, Presley increasingly used his public platform to discuss his personal struggles, particularly mental health and addiction.
Family asks for privacy
Following news of his death, a representative for the Crawford-Gerber family confirmed the tragedy and asked the public to respect their privacy.“The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time,” the representative said.Presley’s death has also prompted tributes from friends and fellow celebrities, including Paris Hilton and Brooklyn Beckham, who shared emotional messages remembering the model.
