Presley Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, has been cremated just days after his shocking death at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica.
While an autopsy has been completed, the medical examiner has yet to determine an official cause and manner of death, with additional testing reportedly still underway.
Presley Gerber was found dead in his bedroom at the facility on Sunday, where he had reportedly sought help in the days before his death.
Presley Gerber Cremated as Family Prepares Intimate Funeral
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Presley has reportedly been cremated just days after his death at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica, according to a death certificate obtained by TMZ.
The document states that Presley was cremated at Rose Family Funeral Home. He was described as an entrepreneur who worked in mental health, while his ashes will reportedly remain at his parents’ Malibu home.
Although his autopsy has been completed, the official cause and manner of death remain undetermined.
The medical examiner has listed the cause as “deferred” and “pending investigation,” suggesting that additional test results are still awaited.
Meanwhile, funeral arrangements are reportedly underway. Sources say the family is planning a small and intimate service, expected to take place within the week, with Forest Lawn and Malibu Presbyterian Church reportedly being considered as possible venues.
Cindy Crawford And Her Family Are ‘Unbelievably Shattered’ After Presley’s Death
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Presley Gerber is survived by his parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, and his younger sister, Kaia Gerber, who was reportedly extremely close to her brother.
An insider described their bond as being much deeper than that of regular siblings. “They were way more than brother and sister,” the source said. “She is heartbroken. They were like best friends.”
Crawford and Rande have not publicly commented on Presley’s cremation, while the family has asked for privacy as they mourn.
Sources told TMZ that the family is “unbelievably shattered” and has been receiving support from longtime friends George and Amal Clooney, who have been spending time between Cindy and Kaia’s homes as they rally around the grieving family.
The Model Sought Help Up Until His Passing At A Rehab Facility
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Presley Gerber was reportedly found dead in his bedroom at a luxury rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica on Sunday, where he had gone after struggling with addiction.
Sources told Page Six that the 27-year-old had been experiencing difficulties in the weeks before his death and was determined to overcome his substance-use problems.
“He seemed a little off in recent weeks. Something was just not there. Energetically, he didn’t seem like himself,” one source said.
The insider added, “He was struggling with a lot of things, but he wanted so, so badly to be free of his addictions. He was such a good kid.”
Another source said Presley entered the facility because “he knew he needed help,” adding that he had struggled with low self-esteem and accepting himself.
Reports have also claimed he had a persistent problem with ketamine, which had reportedly been prescribed by a doctor despite concerns from his family.
While ketamine has been studied and used in some treatment settings to address substance-use disorders, treating drug addiction is not an FDA-approved use for ketamine.
Toxicology Testing Could Shed Light On Presley Gerber’s ‘Very Complex’ Death
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Questions surrounding the circumstances of Presley’s death could depend on the results of toxicology testing.
Joseph Scott Morgan, a forensic analyst familiar with suspected overdose cases at rehabilitation facilities, questioned whether Presley and his visitors had been properly screened.
“I think my big question, being that this is a rehab center, is: Was he checked?” the analyst said, per OK! Magazine. “Were any of his visitors checked? Did anybody bring anything in at all?”
The analyst explained that an autopsy can include broad-spectrum toxicology testing to identify substances in the body.
However, determining whether a substance contributed to a death can take additional time.
“Just to get a qualifier will take a short period of time. You can say that it is there, but then they have to quantify those amounts, and that’s the big question here,” he explained.
“You know exactly how much was in his system, and then did it reach lethal levels. That’s going to be key here,” the forensic analyst noted, describing that the case could become “very, very complex, quickly.”
More About Presley Gerber’s Death Investigation
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The 27-year-old was found unresponsive at a Santa Monica rehabilitation facility on September 20 after authorities received a 911 call reporting a suspected overdose and cardiac arrest.
Paramedics pronounced him dead at 9:45 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Santa Monica police are investigating the death as a suspected overdose, while officials have said there is currently no indication of foul play.
Forensic analyst Morgan highlighted the seriousness of the investigation, saying, “This is a young man who should not be deceased. They’re going to respond to this.”
He further explained the approach taken in death investigations: “Our working assumption in any death investigation is that every death is suspicious. You have to work from that perspective in order to arrive at a thorough finding at the end.”
