Supermodel Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber are currently deciding on the time and location for a private memorial service to honor their son Presley Gerber following his sudden death at age 27 in Santa Monica, California.
As reported on Monday by People, the family remains deeply emotional following the loss of the fashion model on September 20, 2026. Their main priority is to keep the ceremony small and intimate, avoiding media and paparazzi presence.
An insider told People: "They're still deciding where they want to honor Presley. It's hard to make those decisions when everyone is struggling emotionally. Their priority is to keep it private, without media or paparazzi there."
Presley was cremated at the Rose Family Funeral Home several days after his death on September 20. A second source told People that the family is still figuring out what to do regarding a formal memorial service.
"They want to keep it very intimate, but there's so many people in Presley's life who loved him, the amount of people that have reached out to attend is high," the second source said. "The plan right now is somewhere in Malibu because of his love for surfing and the beach."
Malibu is an affluent beachfront city located in Los Angeles County, California, renowned for its Pacific coastline, iconic surfing spots, and quiet residential estates favored by many high-profile entertainment figures and celebrities.
Police investigation and medical examiner report
Presley was found deceased on September 20, 2026, at Resolutions Living, a luxury residential rehabilitation and recovery facility located in Santa Monica, California. He had checked into the facility approximately 12 hours before being discovered unresponsive.
The Santa Monica Police Department is investigating the death as a suspected overdose. Detectives have stated that there is currently no indication of foul play, but authorities are actively attempting to trace the source and supplier of the illegal substances involved.
An autopsy has been completed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. However, the official cause and manner of death remain deferred pending toxicology testing, a routine process that can take several weeks or months to complete.
Santa Monica is a coastal city situated directly west of downtown Los Angeles, known for its oceanfront district and healthcare facilities. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner is the official government agency responsible for investigating sudden, unexpected, or un-witnessed deaths within the county.
Family efforts and teenage modeling career
Crawford and Gerber spent years desperately trying to keep their son away from drugs, as reported over the weekend by the Daily Mail. The supermodel and her businessman husband dedicated their focus to supporting the Calvin Klein model as he battled an addiction that began during his teenage years in the fashion industry.
Despite their continued efforts, Presley died of a suspected overdose at age 27 while staying at the Santa Monica recovery home. Amid years of family turmoil, Crawford and Gerber also took extra precautions to protect their daughter, 25-year-old Kaia Gerber.
A source close to the family told the Daily Mail: "They wanted to make sure that Kaia never encountered the same issues that Presley did, so they kept a close eye on her. She stayed in high school in Malibu until she was 16 years old and had completed her junior year before she started modeling full time."
In contrast, Presley left high school at age 15 to model in New York City and Europe. Despite leaving traditional schooling early, he maintained his studies while working and successfully graduated on time at the age of 17.
Cindy Crawford rose to global fame as one of the original supermodels of the 1980s and 1990s, appearing on hundreds of magazine covers. Her husband, Rande Gerber, is an American businessman and nightlife entrepreneur who co-founded Casamigos Tequila alongside actor George Clooney. Calvin Klein is a major American fashion label known worldwide for its iconic apparel and advertising campaigns.
Support network for grieving sister Kaia
Following the loss of her older brother, whom she frequently called her "best friend," Kaia is receiving dedicated support from her family and close circle. The insider told the Daily Mail: "Kaia is very sad; it's hard for her to believe her brother is gone forever, it's not sinking in just yet, it's a lot to digest, understandably."
The source added: "Everyone in the family is worried about Kaia, they fear she won't be able to handle this, but she has a good network around her. She has old friends that are making her feel better."
Kaia recently revealed in an interview with Vogue magazine that she had tried to be the "easy child" growing up because Presley required so much attention due to his ongoing struggles with addiction.
Her family and inner circle are standing closely by her side during this period of grief. "Her biggest allies are her parents and her boyfriend Lewis, even his dad Bill," the source shared, noting that childhood friends in Malibu have also reached out. "She has plenty of Malibu friends, like a lot of old school pals that have reached out. She is well liked for sure."
Prominent figures in the fashion world have also expressed their condolences. Model Kendall Jenner checked in on Kaia to offer support, while her mother Kris Jenner sent flowers to the family.
Vogue is a leading global fashion and lifestyle magazine published by Conde Nast. Kendall Jenner and Kris Jenner are internationally known television personalities and models associated with prominent fashion brands and reality entertainment programs.
Career hiatus and stance on illegal substances
To focus on her emotional healing, Kaia has placed her active modeling and acting commitments on hold. The source close to the family noted: "Kaia had a packed schedule, and she has delayed a lot of her work stuff to deal with this. Everyone has been understanding. I don't know when she will go back to work."
The source emphasized that Kaia "has never done drugs and is squeaky clean," but noted that the impact of substance abuse on her loved ones has taken a heavy emotional toll.
The insider said: "Kaia feels like she can't get away from this drug stuff and it makes her depressed. She hates drugs and doesn't touch them and is so sad they took Presley away from her. She and Presley were best friends."
For individuals and families coping with substance abuse or mental health distress, confidential support is available. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helpline can be reached at 1-800-662-HELP. Assistance is also available 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988, or visiting 988lifeline.org online.
