Kaia Gerber is taking her brother Presley’s death “very, very hard,” sources close to the model say.
The 25-year-old has been left devastated after Presley Gerber, 27, died of an apparent overdose Sunday while staying at a rehab facility in Santa Monica, Calif., according to multiple insiders who spoke. The siblings shared a bond that went far beyond typical brother-sister dynamics, with one source describing them as “insanely close” and “like best friends.”
“They were way more than brother and sister,” the insider said. “She is heartbroken. They were like best friends.”
The source added bluntly, “I don’t know how she’s going to go on without him.”
Kaia and Presley grew up together in Malibu, Calif., as the only children of supermodel Cindy Crawford, 60, and businessman Rande Gerber. Their tight-knit relationship was visible in public and private — Presley even tattooed his younger sister’s name on his arm in 2018.
Both siblings followed their famous mother into the modeling industry, frequently attending events together as they got older. Their professional parallel paths only deepened their personal connection, according to those who knew them.
Cindy Crawford had spoken publicly about their closeness just months before the tragedy. In a May interview, she reflected on a family Vuori campaign that brought all four of them together for a shoot.
“Nothing makes, I think, a parent prouder than when your kids like each other and love each other,” she said at the time.
She called the experience “amazing,” adding, “I mean, obviously, we’ve done family pictures before, but being on a real shoot. I think my husband and I just had … first of all, we got to spend a day with our kids, which we love. But it was extra special.”
The family now faces an unthinkable reversal. A source said Monday that Cindy is “devastated” and “inconsolable” over losing her only son.
“They were so close,” the source said. “What you saw online and in the press wasn’t just for that purpose. They were a tight-knit family and [sister] Kaia and Presley were more than just siblings. Cindy has to be beyond gutted.”
The source continued, “This is every parent’s worst nightmare, and the family is still trying to process everything that happened.”
Presley had checked into Resolutions Living’s $7.7 million rehabilitation home the same weekend he was pronounced dead, insiders said. The facility markets itself as a luxurious recovery environment.
In the weeks leading up to his death, Presley “seemed off” and “didn’t seem like himself,” according to another source. He had been open about his struggles with opioid addiction and depression for years.
His 2018 DUI arrest had put him on probation for three years after he pleaded no contest. Through that period and beyond, his family — particularly his mother — remained fiercely supportive.
“Cindy was extremely involved in everything when it came to Kaia and Presley growing up,” a source previously said. “She never missed a school function and was on top of everything when it came to her kids.”
“I’m sure that Cindy would make sure her kid was going to the best rehab though,” the source continued. “That’s the kind of mom she was. She was so involved in everything for them.”
A representative for the family issued a statement after the news broke, asking for “privacy during this very difficult and painful time.”
Kaia’s rep did not immediately respond to the outlet’s request for comment.
The Gerber family has not announced any public memorial plans.