LOS ANGELES — Paris Hilton paid tribute to Presley Gerber on her Instagram Stories on Sunday, calling him a "beautiful soul" and expressing deep personal grief following his death. The Los Angeles County medical examiner reported that Presley Gerber died at a rehabilitation facility on September 20, 2026, but did not provide a cause of death. Presley Gerber said that his goal was to "spark real conversations about the stuff most people hide."

Gerber died at the age of 27. An autopsy has not yet been completed. A family representative stated that the family is asking for privacy during this time.

Gerber attended Paris Hilton’s 39th birthday at her LA mansion in February 2020. He also attended the premiere of Hilton’s "Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir" in January 2026.

Gerber was the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber. Crawford and Rande Gerber married in 1998. Gerber was born in California in 1999. He had one sibling, his younger sister Kaia Gerber.

Crawford posted two images of Gerber on Facebook in July for his 27th birthday. Crawford wrote in her July Facebook post, "I’m so proud of the man you’ve become, but I’ll always see you as my little boy! Love you." In December, Crawford commented on Gerber's Instagram post, writing, "Presley — we love you and you are not alone."

Kaia Gerber said in American Vogue’s September issue, "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.’" Gerber added, "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." She also said, "When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone." Gerber noted, "I think that’s also why I started to self-identify as the easy one and never wanted to ask for help." In a family interview with "TODAY" last year, Gerber said that she has never lived vicariously through them, and that they were not a stage mom.

Gerber signed with IMG Models at age 15. He made his runway debut for Moschino at age 16. DNA Model Management signed Gerber in 2019.

Gerber modeled for brands including Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Burberry, Bottega Veneta, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Celine, Pepsi, and Omega. He appeared in magazines including GQ Style and The New York Times Style Magazine. Gerber featured alongside his mother in a 2018 Pepsi ad recreating her 1992 Super Bowl commercial. Gerber worked as an investor and entrepreneur. He also worked with the LA homelessness charity A Sense of Home.

Gerber was arrested for DUI in Beverly Hills, California, at age 19 after being pulled over for speeding. Gerber pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor DUI charge in July 2019. He was sentenced to three years of probation, community service, and a DUI program following his 2019 plea. Gerber completed court-ordered requirements at a drug-testing facility in 2020.

Gerber announced in 2024 that he had battled a multi-year opiate addiction and survived a near-fatal fentanyl overdose that left him in a coma for several days. Gerber underwent treatment with the psychedelic ibogaine at a rehab facility. Gerber spoke openly about his struggles with depression and addiction online.

He created a program called "Mental Health Mondays" on his Instagram account. Gerber appeared on the Studio 22 podcast in 2023 to discuss using his platforms to raise mental health awareness.

Gerber posted in November that he "had to step back and take care of my own mental health for a bit." He posted a video to Instagram last December detailing his use of prescription medication, including antidepressants and Xanax for panic attacks. In the December Instagram video, Gerber said, "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 am where I’m at now."

Timeline

Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber married in 1998. Presley Gerber was born in California in 1999. Presley Gerber signed with IMG Models at age 15. Presley Gerber featured alongside his mother in a 2018 Pepsi ad recreating her 1992 Super Bowl commercial. Also in 2018, Presley Gerber was arrested for DUI in Beverly Hills, California, at age 19 after being pulled over for speeding. DNA Model Management signed Presley Gerber in 2019. Presley Gerber pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor DUI charge in July 2019.

What's New

Paris Hilton paid tribute to Presley Gerber on her Instagram Stories on Sunday. Presley Gerber attended the premiere of Paris Hilton’s "Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir" in January 2026. Cindy Crawford commented on Presley Gerber's December Instagram post, writing, "Presley — we love you and you are not alone." Paris Hilton wrote on her Instagram Stories, "Presley, you were such a beautiful soul. So sweet, sensitive, kind and genuine." Hilton wrote on her Instagram Stories, "I’m completely heartbroken. I still can’t believe this is real." Hilton wrote on her Instagram Stories, "I cared about you so much and I’m going to miss you more than words can say." Hilton wrote on her Instagram Stories, "I’ll always cherish the memories we shared – the laughs, the conversations, and just being around you." Hilton wrote on her Instagram Stories, "You had such a gentle heart and there was something so special about you that anyone who was lucky enough to know you could feel."

How Sources Differ

Regarding Presley Gerber's mental health advocacy, primary source and Presley Gerber created a program called "Mental Health Mondays" on his Instagram account. Presley Gerber appeared on the Studio 22 podcast in 2023 to discuss using his platforms to raise mental health awareness. Regarding his recent statements, Presley Gerber posted in November that he "had to step back and take care of my own mental health for a bit."

Why It Matters

Presley Gerber's death at a rehabilitation facility is part of ongoing public discussions regarding mental health and addiction within high-profile families. His openness about his struggles, including his creation of "Mental Health Mondays" and his appearance on the Studio 22 podcast, provided a platform for discussing issues often kept private. His sister Kaia Gerber noted that his willingness to be "very human for everyone" contrasted with their parents' previous privacy, suggesting a shift in how the family navigated public scrutiny and personal challenges.

The lack of a listed cause of death and the pending autopsy leave specific circumstances surrounding his passing unclear. However, his history of treatment, including for opiate addiction and a near-fatal fentanyl overdose, provides context for his presence at a rehabilitation facility. Tributes from figures like Paris Hilton and his mother Cindy Crawford indicate the personal impact of his life and advocacy beyond his modeling career.