Cindy Crawford is speaking out for the first time about the death of her son, Presley Gerber.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, Oct. 18, the model, 60, shared a statement that was also signed by her husband, Rande Gerber, and their daughter, Kaia Gerber.
"We are beyond heartbroken to lose our beloved son and brother," the statement said. "We feel so blessed to have had Presley in our lives for 27 years. He is a sweet, beautiful soul who loved and is loved, now and forever. We are so proud of how he showed up in the world, with kindness and vulnerability. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from so many who know and love our family and even strangers who feel our pain."
They concluded, "Til we meet again our sweet boy. We love you
forever, Mom, Dad and Kaia."
Presley Gerber, the only son of Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died on Sept. 20 at a rehab facility, Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records previously confirmed. He was 27. A representative for Crawford shared in a prior statement that "the family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time."
Presley Gerber was also the older brother of 25-year-old model and actress Kaia Gerber.
On Sept. 21, the Santa Monica Police Department said that Gerber's death is being investigated "as a suspected overdose" and that there is "no indication of foul play." The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has not yet released an official cause of death.
Like his mom and sister, Presley Gerber was a model who worked with brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Calvin Klein. He signed with IMG Models when he was 15.
Gerber had been open about his struggles with substance abuse and mental health issues. He was sentenced to three years' probation after he pleaded no contest to a 2018 DUI.
Speaking on the Studio 22 podcast in 2023, Gerber shared that he has "struggled with mental health, depression and some other things that come along with that."
Gerber also shared videos on Instagram as part of a series called "mental health Mondays," where he got candid about his mental health and encouraged followers to do the same.
In his final public appearance before his death, he took part in a panel discussion about mental health, according to People magazine. At the event, he reportedly said that the "most free I felt was when I was finally honest with myself."
In a Vogue cover story published in August, Kaia Gerber addressed what the magazine described as her brother's "decade-long struggle with drug addiction." She said that "when something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone." She added, "I think that's also why 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."
Contributing: Paris Close and Sameen Chaudhry, USA TODAY
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental and/or substance use disorders, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's free and confidential treatment referral and information service at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It's available 24/7 in English and Spanish (TTY: 1-800-487-4889).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cindy Crawford speaks out on death of son Presley Gerber
