Presley Gerber Candidly Shared 'Terrified' Addiction Battle Months Before His Unexpected Death at 27

Months before his untimely passing, Presley Gerber offered a raw and introspective look into his struggle with addiction and the experimental treatment he pursued, hoping to reclaim his sense of self.

In March, the model, who died unexpectedly in a rehabilitation facility on September 20 at age 27, shared a video documenting his preparation for an "ibogaine flood dose." This psychedelic treatment was administered at a wellness clinic located in Cancún, Mexico.

Ibogaine, a naturally occurring psychedelic derived from the root bark of the Tabernanthe iboga shrub, has garnered attention from medical and scientific communities. Stanford Medicine indicates its potential for treating opioid and cocaine addiction, with research suggesting it enhances signaling of various crucial molecules in the brain, some of which are linked to drug addiction and depression.

While this treatment is permissible in certain countries, it remains illegal within the United States.

In the accompanying Instagram caption, Gerber reflected on the moment: "Quiet moment before everything changed." He admitted, "I was absolutely terrified, and I knew I would be again if I ever had to face something like this."

Gerber conveyed the difficulty of surrendering control but emphasized his trust that "there was something bigger than me guiding it."

"I knew why I was there. I faced what I had been running from, and somewhere in all of it, I started finding my way back to myself," he wrote.

He also expressed his fervent wish that this would be the final time he would require such intensive treatment.

Gerber's last Instagram post was dated August 5, 2026. The model shared a series of photographs featuring himself in Vuori apparel, smiling outdoors in a black T-shirt and a backward cap, his distinctive neck and arm tattoos visible. The post contained no caption, only a tag for the Vuori brand's Instagram account.

According to records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Gerber passed away on September 20 at 27 years old while residing in a rehabilitation facility. The official cause of death was initially listed as "deferred" in online records. However, officials from the Santa Monica Police Department announced they are investigating his death as a "suspected overdose."

A Public Journey Through Mental Health and Addiction

Gerber's social media posts were just one aspect of his public documentation of his recovery journey. In recent years, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber openly addressed his experiences with depression, panic attacks, addiction, and the intricate challenges of seeking professional treatment.

During a 2023 appearance on the "Studio 22" podcast, Gerber delved into his battles with depression and other mental health concerns.

"[Mental health] is an issue. It is such a big part of my life. It’s a 24/7 job, and there’s so much to it," he stated.

He continued, expressing his ambition: "That’s really what I want to do is help people, whether you’re depressed, you’re struggling with something that is having a negative effect on your body. I mean it could be anything, and there’s no judgment."

Gerber articulated his hope that his personal struggles and insights could guide others away from similar pitfalls. "I’ve seen a lot of stuff, and I’ve learned a lot of things," he remarked. "What I hope I can do is have made the mistakes for some other people, so they don’t have to make the same mistakes that I made."

He further elaborated on his motivation for being transparent about his mental health path. "Having struggled with mental health, depression and some other things that come along with that, I think that whether I help one person or a hundred people get out of that place that I was in at one point in my life, that’s all I need to do," Gerber explained.

Advocating for Openness and Healing

Beyond personal sharing, Gerber leveraged social media to foster dialogues about depression, addiction, and men’s mental health. In 2024, he initiated "Mental Health Mondays," a dedicated series focused on recovery and emotional well-being.

In an Instagram post from November 2025, Gerber revealed that he had temporarily disengaged from social media to prioritize his own mental health. "It’s been a minute since I’ve posted — I had to step back and take care of my own mental health for a bit," he wrote, adding, "But I’m coming back soon — stronger, clearer, more intentional than ever."

Gerber explained that the core objective of his series was to encourage individuals to discuss issues often kept hidden. "When I started Mental Health Mondays, the goal was to spark real conversations about the stuff most people hide," he penned. "It’s been incredible seeing how far that message has spread and how many people it’s helped."

He concluded, "I’m proud that something I created has inspired others and started a bigger movement around openness and healing."

Candid Discussions on Medication and Loss

Gerber was also transparent about the medications he was prescribed and the panic attacks he endured. In a now-removed Instagram video from December 2025, he disclosed that he was taking several medications, including buprenorphine, Xanax, and Valium, according to reports.

He attributed his current struggles to recent personal setbacks: "Unfortunately, I’ve had a lot of loss in many different forms recently, so that is not an excuse, but it’s the reason why I’m where I’m at now."

Gerber articulated that his intention behind sharing the video was to mitigate feelings of isolation for others. "One, so you feel like you’re not alone, because that is how I feel most of the time," he stated. "And I have a feeling that if I say all of this, a lot of people will at least know that there’s someone else going through it."

He also expressed a desire to find support: "And the second thing is, hopefully, I find some people out here willing to help or know someone that can help." Reports indicated that Gerber had consulted approximately 15 psychiatrists and sought more structured guidance in his treatment, stating, "I need some direction."

Family's Unwavering Support

Throughout his recovery efforts, Gerber received public encouragement from his parents and his sister, model and actress Kaia Gerber.

Following his post about the ibogaine treatment, his mother, Cindy Crawford, commented, "You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud!" His father, Rande Gerber, wrote, "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." Kaia Gerber also expressed her pride, stating, "That’s my brother. I am so damn proud."

In an August cover story, Kaia Gerber discussed what the publication described as her brother's "decade-long struggle with drug addiction" and its profound impact on their family dynamic. "When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone," Kaia shared.

She also reflected on her own coping mechanisms: "I started to self-identify as the easy one and never wanted to ask for help. Because it felt like too much to have two children who were needing."

Kaia praised her brother for his willingness to be open about his struggles, especially given their family’s typically private nature. "My parents for most of our lives were very, very private and didn’t share anything — and now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, ‘I’m gonna be very human for everyone,’" she explained.

She concluded, emphasizing the futility of concealment: "There’s only so much you can hide from the world. And trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you’re ashamed of them."