A source close to Presley Gerber has spoken out about the internal struggles that haunted the 27-year-old model in the months before his death.
The acquaintance, who came to know Gerber while he worked on and off at Cafe Habana in Malibu, California, during the COVID-19 pandemic, said they shared “deep, very open talks” during that period. The restaurant is co-owned by Gerber’s father, nightlife mogul Rande Gerber, 64.
“He had demons. Not all related to being a celebrity kid,” the source said.
“It’s tough because you never know if someone wants to be your friend or wants something.”
The source described Presley as a “great kid” who was “super nice,” but troubled by issues that extended beyond his upbringing as the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford, 60, and Rande Gerber.
A second source, who previously worked with Rande Gerber, remembered the family fondly. “[Rande] was the nicest dude. I don’t think anyone would have a bad thing to say about them,” this source said of the Gerber clan.
This same source admitted the circumstances of Presley’s death were not entirely unexpected. “Some people are just born like that,” the source said of Presley’s struggles. “That’s their path.”
Presley died Sunday while staying at Resolutions Living’s $7.7 million rehabilitation home in Santa Monica, California, a facility that offers treatment for substance addiction and mental health issues. He had checked himself into the facility just days before his tragic death.
A 911 dispatch audio recording revealed emergency services responded to a call for “cardiac arrest” and “overdose.” A source on the scene previously said that police, an ambulance and firefighters responded and remained at the facility for about three hours.
The Gerber family continues to grapple with the sudden loss. Presley’s 25-year-old model sister, Kaia Gerber, has been taking the death “very, very hard,” a source exclusively said.
“Kaia and Presley were insanely close,” the source said. “I don’t know how she’s going to go on without him.”
Another source spoke about Presley’s mother, saying that “Cindy is inconsolable. She’s absolutely devastated. This is every parent’s worst nightmare, and the family is still trying to process everything that happened.”
The model had previously discussed his struggles with substance use. Months before his death, he detailed the “cocktail” of pills he was taking as he sought help for his addiction.
A rep for the family said, “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time.”
