Presley Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, had spent years speaking publicly about his struggles with mental health and substance use before his death at 27.

Gerber died on 20 September at a rehabilitation facility, according to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records obtained by PEOPLE. His cause of death has not been disclosed, and an autopsy was still pending as of 21 September. His family has asked for privacy.

In the years before his death, Gerber used social media and podcast appearances to discuss his experiences with depression, addiction and recovery, often encouraging others to be more open about their own mental health struggles.

His death has renewed attention on the conversations he had shared about depression, addiction, and his attempts to recover, as well as the challenges that can accompany efforts to maintain recovery over time.

Gerber Was Open About His Mental Health Struggles

Gerber discussed his experience with depression and mental health challenges during a 2023 appearance on the Studio 22 podcast.

'Having struggled with mental health, depression and some other things that come along with that,' he said, explaining that he hoped sharing his experiences could help others who were going through similar difficulties.

He also described mental health as an ongoing part of his life and said he wanted people struggling with depression or other problems to know they were not alone.

That message became part of his social media presence. Gerber began sharing 'Mental Health Mondays' videos, including discussions about recovery and finding common ground with others who had faced similar challenges.

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He Also Documented His Attempts to Recover From Addiction

Gerber had also spoken about substance abuse and recovery, including in a December 2025 video in which he discussed medications he had been taking for panic attacks. PEOPLE reported that the since-deleted video mentioned buprenorphine, Xanax, and Valium.

In March 2026, he shared one of his final posts about his recovery journey, revealing that he had undergone an 'ibogaine flood dose' as part of treatment for his addiction struggles.

Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound derived from the Tabernanthe iboga plant. It has attracted interest as a potential treatment for substance use disorders, but researchers say evidence for its effectiveness remains limited and safety concerns, particularly involving abnormal heart rhythms, remain important.

Gerber described being frightened before the treatment but said he had confronted what he had been running from and hoped the experience would help him find his way back to himself. He also expressed hope that it would be the last time he needed to return for treatment.

What His Story Highlights About Addiction and Recovery

Substance use disorders are complex conditions that can involve repeated attempts at treatment and recovery. Relapse can occur even when someone is actively seeking help, and recovery can involve different combinations of medical care, therapy, support groups, and other evidence-based approaches.

Gerber's public comments also highlight why mental health and substance use can be difficult to separate. Depression, anxiety, and addiction can occur together, while treatment needs can change over time.

His family has not publicly linked his death to any specific condition, treatment or substance. With the cause of death not yet released, there is currently no basis for drawing such a connection.

For people experiencing depression, addiction, or thoughts of self-harm, seeking professional help can be an important first step. In the US, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and SAMHSA's National Helpline provide confidential support.

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