Supermodel Cindy Crawford has said she and her family are “beyond heartbroken” over the death of her son, Presley Gerber, who died at the age of 27. He died on 20 September at a rehab facility in California, and police said officials are investigating the death as a suspected overdose.
Gerber was also a model, like his mother and his younger sister, Kaia. He made his catwalk debut for the Italian label Moschino at just 16.
Crawford pays tribute on Instagram
Crawford shared a black-and-white photo of her son on Instagram, calling him “a sweet, beautiful soul who loved and is loved, now and forever.” She said the family was proud of the way he had shown up in the world, with kindness and vulnerability.
In her post on Sunday, she said the family felt blessed to have had Presley in their lives for 27 years. She thanked people who had offered love and support, including strangers who shared the family’s pain. Her message ended with a farewell and an emoji of angel wings, and listed his dates of birth and death.
Investigation into the death continues
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner lists Gerber’s case as pending additional investigation. The Santa Monica Police Department has said there is no indication that foul play was involved in his death.
Kaia Gerber shares a letter to her brother
Kaia also marked her brother’s death with a post on Sunday. It included a video of the two siblings dancing together as children, a photo of them standing near the ocean, and a four-page letter addressed to “prez.”
In the letter, Kaia wrote that she had been scared of getting her ears pierced, so her brother had gone first. She described holding an earring that had been taken from his body and thinking that it belonged to him. She also wrote that she was learning how to love him when she could not see him.
In recent years, Gerber had spoken openly about his mental health challenges and drug use. He often posted videos on Instagram for what he called “Mental Health Mondays.” His father, Rande Gerber, a well-known businessman, co-founded the Casamigos tequila brand with George Clooney.
