Presley Gerber’s Decade-Long Search for Personal Stability

Growing up in Malibu, Gerber found his identity in surfing and skating. He described his younger self as a dedicated athlete whose world was defined by the ocean and a simple, daily rhythm. That stability fractured during his teenage years as he entered the fashion industry, signing with IMG Models and debuting for Moschino at 16. While he appeared alongside his mother, Cindy Crawford, in high-profile campaigns for Calvin Klein and Pepsi, he later identified the loss of his physical outlet as a turning point in his quality of life.

In his final years, Gerber became increasingly candid about the "24/7 job" of managing mental health. He revealed he had consulted roughly 15 psychiatrists and navigated a regimen of multiple medications, often expressing frustration at the conflicting guidance he received. Seeking a path forward, he participated in an ibogaine treatment program in Mexico and launched "Mental Health Mondays" to foster transparency around addiction and emotional well-being. On September 20, Gerber was found dead at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica. While authorities are investigating the death as a suspected overdose, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has deferred an official cause pending further testing.