What Did Cindy Crawford Say to Presley Gerber Before His Death? Her 'Warrior' Message Resurfaces

Cindy Crawford's emotional message to son Presley Gerber has resurfaced following his death at 27, with the supermodel having publicly called him a 'warrior' just six months earlier as he underwent addiction treatment in Mexico.

Presley died on 20 September at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica, California. His death remains under investigation, while his mother's March message and July birthday tribute are being revisited as examples of the family's public support during his recovery.

Cindy Crawford Called Presley a 'Warrior'

The message appeared beneath an Instagram post Presley shared on 26 March after undergoing what he described as an 'Ibogaine Flood Dose' at a treatment facility in Cancún, Mexico.

Presley admitted that he had been 'absolutely terrified' before the experience and described struggling to surrender control while confronting problems he had previously tried to avoid. He later wrote that he had begun 'finding my way back to myself' and hoped it would be the last time he needed to return for such treatment.

Crawford responded directly beneath the post, 'You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud!'

Presley replied to his mother, 'love you mama!!!'

His father, Rande Gerber, also praised his son's recovery efforts, writing, '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.'

Sister Kaia Gerber added, 'that's my brother I am so damn proud.'

What Was Presley Gerber's Ibogaine Treatment?

Ibogaine is a psychoactive substance derived from the iboga plant and has been explored in alternative treatment settings for substance-use disorders.

The drug is not approved for medical use in the United States, while Presley travelled to Mexico for the treatment. ITV reported that ibogaine is also an unlicensed and experimental drug in the UK and is not available through the NHS.

Presley had spoken publicly for years about addiction, depression and his mental health. His openness later became part of his wider effort to encourage conversations around recovery, including through his 'Mental Health Mondays' social-media posts.

Cindy Crawford's Final Birthday Message to Son

Crawford shared another deeply personal message on 2 July, Presley's 27th birthday, alongside childhood photographs of her son.

'Happy birthday @presleygerber,' she wrote. 'I'm so proud of the man you've become, but I'll always see you as my little boy! Love you.'

The post came less than three months before his death.

Presley was pronounced dead at 9:45am on 20 September after paramedics responded to the Santa Monica rehabilitation facility where he was staying, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

The office completed an examination the following day but deferred its findings while additional testing is carried out.

Santa Monica Police said officers had originally responded to a report of a possible overdose and found Presley dead at the scene. Detectives are investigating the case as a suspected overdose, with no indication of foul play, but authorities stressed that only the Medical Examiner will determine the official cause of death.

His family has asked for privacy during what it described as a 'very difficult and painful time.'