Presley Gerber Revealed Medications Amid Mental Health and Addiction Struggles Months Before Tragic Death

Presley Gerber had spoken openly about his mental health, addiction and prescription medications months before his death at 27, detailing the medications he had been taking while describing his difficult search for effective treatment.

The son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber died on Sunday, 20 September, at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica, California.

His death is being investigated as a suspected overdose, but the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has deferred determining the cause and manner of death pending further testing.

Medications and Mental Health Struggles

In a since-deleted Instagram video shared in December 2025, Gerber discussed the medications he was taking while trying to manage panic attacks, mental health difficulties and substance-use issues.

He said he was taking Valium, buprenorphine and Xanax, explaining that he used Xanax 'when the panic attacks are really, really bad' as he navigated his treatment.

Gerber also spoke about seeing numerous psychiatrists and struggling to find a treatment approach that worked for him.

'Every psychiatrist I've had, and I've had, like, 15, they're all like, "Here's 20 medications. Take this if you feel like this, take this as needed." And I'm like, "No, don't give me that much leeway. I need some direction,"' he said, describing his frustration with the treatment guidance he had received.

His comments resurfaced following his death, with his previous openness drawing renewed attention to the challenges he had discussed publicly.

Opening Up on Mental Health and Recovery

Gerber had previously spoken about depression, panic attacks and addiction, including during a 2023 appearance on the Studio 22 podcast.

He said at the time that mental health was 'such a big part of my life' and described it as a '24/7 job'. He also expressed a desire to use his experiences to help other people facing similar struggles.

In an August interview for Vogue's September 2026 cover story, his younger sister Kaia Gerber spoke about her brother's decade-long struggle with drug addiction and its impact on their family.

Gerber also documented aspects of his recovery on social media. In 2026, he discussed seeking treatment and making changes in his life as he worked to address his substance-use issues.

Presley Gerber's Modelling Career

Beyond his struggles, Gerber had established a modelling career of his own.

Born in California in 1999, he was the eldest child of Crawford and Rande and the older brother of model and actress Kaia. IMG Models signed him at 15, and he made his runway debut in 2016.

He later worked with brands including Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana. In 2018, he appeared alongside his mother in a Pepsi Super Bowl campaign.

Presley Gerber's Death at 27

Gerber was pronounced dead at 9:45am on Sunday, 20 September, after Santa Monica police responded to a report of a possible overdose. Santa Monica police are investigating the death as a suspected overdose and said there is currently no indication of foul play.

The medical examiner said an examination had been completed but the cause and manner of death were deferred, meaning additional testing is required and a determination could take a few months.

His family has asked for privacy following his death.