Cindy Crawford and her daughter, Kaia Gerber, have shared deeply personal tributes to Presley Gerber, remembering the 27-year-old following his death in California on September 20.
The American supermodel and her husband, businessman Rande Gerber, released a joint family message on Instagram on October 18. Kaia, Presley’s younger sister, also posted a lengthy letter accompanied by childhood photographs and videos that recalled their relationship.
The messages marked the family’s first public tributes since Presley’s death. They centred on his personality, the memories he left behind and the support the family has received during its bereavement.
Crawford, Rande and Kaia described Presley as a much-loved member of their family and expressed pride in the kindness and vulnerability he had shown during his life. The statement also thanked friends, relatives and members of the public who had reached out to offer condolences.
Kaia Gerber recalls growing up with her brother
Kaia’s tribute offered a more personal account of the relationship between the siblings.
In the letter addressed to Presley, she revisited memories from their childhood and reflected on how closely their lives had been connected. One recollection involved getting her ears pierced: she remembered being nervous and Presley volunteering to go first, helping her overcome her hesitation.
The memories gave the tribute a perspective beyond the family’s public profile. Rather than focusing on their careers in fashion and entertainment, Kaia’s message recalled the everyday experiences that had shaped their relationship.
She also wrote about the difficulty of expressing grief in words and adjusting to life without her brother. Her post included photographs and home videos, allowing followers to see moments from their lives before they became familiar faces in the fashion industry.
Kaia, who has established her own career as a model and actor, is the younger child of Crawford and Rande. Presley was the couple’s only son.
What is known about Presley’s death?
Presley Gerber died on September 20, 2026, at the age of 27, according to reporting that cited the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. He died at a rehabilitation facility in California.
The Santa Monica Police Department investigated the death as a suspected overdose, according to CBS Los Angeles. However, the official cause of death had not been publicly established in the reports available at the time of the family’s October 18 tributes. A suspected overdose should therefore not be presented as a confirmed cause of death.
Presley had previously spoken publicly about mental health challenges. Reuters reported that he launched an Instagram initiative called Mental Health Mondays in 2025 to encourage open conversations about emotional well-being.
His experiences and the family’s loss have drawn attention to the personal difficulties that can exist behind a public profile. However, the family’s latest messages did not provide a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding his death.
A family remembers a life beyond the public spotlight
Crawford became one of the world’s most recognisable supermodels, while Rande Gerber built a career in business. Presley and Kaia also entered the fashion world, appearing in campaigns and at public events.
Presley worked as a model and featured in a 2018 Pepsi Super Bowl advertisement alongside his mother, recreating elements of Crawford’s famous 1992 Pepsi commercial. He also worked with major fashion labels, including Calvin Klein.
Despite those public appearances, the family’s recent tributes have concentrated on personal memories rather than professional milestones.
Their messages also acknowledged the compassion they had received from people beyond their immediate circle. For the family, the public response has accompanied a period of private mourning.
The tributes do not change the unanswered questions surrounding Presley’s death, but they provide a clearer picture of how his parents and sister want him to be remembered: as a son and brother whose life was defined, for them, by personal connections and lasting memories.
1. Who was Presley Gerber?
Presley Gerber was the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber. He worked as a model and was the older brother of Kaia Gerber.
2. What did Cindy Crawford say about Presley Gerber?
Crawford and her family shared a tribute remembering Presley as a much-loved son and brother, highlighting his kindness and vulnerability.
3. What did Kaia Gerber share about her brother?
Kaia posted a personal letter alongside childhood photographs and videos. She recalled memories from their upbringing and described the difficulty of coping with his absence.
Presley Gerber died on September 20, 2026, at the age of 27, according to reporting based on medical examiner information.
5. What was the cause of Presley Gerber’s death?
The Santa Monica Police Department investigated his death as a suspected overdose, according to CBS Los Angeles. The official cause had not been publicly confirmed in the reports available when his family shared its tributes.
6. Who are Presley Gerber’s parents?
His parents are Cindy Crawford, the American supermodel, and Rande Gerber, a businessman. His younger sister is model and actor Kaia Gerber.
7. Did Presley Gerber speak about mental health?
Yes. Reuters reported that Presley launched an Instagram initiative called Mental Health Mondays in 2025 to encourage open discussions about emotional well-being.
8. Is there a confirmed connection between Presley’s death and a particular medical condition?
The publicly available reports cited here do not establish a definitive medical cause of death. Any claim about a confirmed cause should wait for an authoritative update.
