September 22, 2026 at 10:16am EDT

Heartbreaking new details have emerged surrounding the death of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber’s son, Presley Gerber. According to sources, the 27-year-old model was “not doing well” in the days before his death on September 20.

Gerber checked himself into a rehab facility in Santa Monica over the weekend, according to Page Six. A source told the outlet, “He knew he needed help.”

“He had not been doing well,” the insider went on. “He’s always suffered from a huge lack of self-esteem and had trouble accepting his real self and feeling fully confident in who he was as a person.”

On top of that, Gerber had reportedly been acting strangely in the weeks leading up to his death. “Energetically, he didn’t seem like himself,” the source said, adding that Gerber “felt like he was lacking purpose in his life,” “hadn’t really found his place” and “didn’t really know where he wanted to go and what he wanted to do.”

Gerber was also public with his struggle with drug addictions, something “he wanted so, so badly to be free of,” according to the source.

Sadly, Gerber experienced cardiac arrest following a suspected overdose at the rehab facility, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner (via People). The Santa Monica Police Department responded to a call of a possible overdose and found Gerber dead upon arrival. An autopsy and official cause of death is still being determined.

A representative for Gerber’s family said, “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time.”

RELATED: Cindy Crawford’s Son Presley Gerber Finally Revealed the Surprising Way His Mom Reacted to Getting Tattooed at 15

In one of his last Instagram posts before his death, Gerber opened up about attending a rehab facility in Mexico. “Pre Ibogaine Flood Dose – quiet moment before everything changed,” he wrote in the caption. “i was absolutely terrified, and I knew I would be again if I ever had to face something like this (helps to not go into the situations you do that get ya there but that’s life sometimes.)”

He added, “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 🤍…. We shall see…. Praying it’s the last time I have to come back.”

His family commented messages of support, with Crawford writing, “You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud! 🙏” Gerber’s sister, Kaia Gerber, commented, “that’s my brother I am so damn proud.”

RELATED: Cindy Crawford Revealed She Had to ‘Back Off’ in Parenting Before Son Presley’s Death

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.