‘We are beyond heartbroken’: Cindy Crawford and family grieve Presley in tributes a month after his death

Presley Gerber entered the modelling industry at 15, when he signed with IMG Models, and went on to work with brands including Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana and Bottega Veneta. He had also spoken publicly about his struggles with depression and substance abuse. — Picture from Facebook/Cindy Crawford

By Malay Mail

First Published: Monday, 19 Oct 2026 12:54 PM MYT

LOS ANGELES, Oct 19 — Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber have expressed their grief over the death of their son Presley, with their daughter Kaia also sharing a deeply personal message about losing her older brother.

The Guardian reported that the family posted tributes on Instagram on Sunday, about a month after Presley, 27, died at a rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles County.

In a joint message, Crawford and Gerber described Presley as a beloved son and brother whose presence in their lives had been a blessing.

“We are beyond heartbroken to lose our beloved son and brother,” they wrote.

“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.”

The couple, who also signed the tribute alongside Kaia, thanked friends, loved ones and members of the public for the support they had received, ending their message with: “Til we meet again our sweet boy.”

Kaia shared her own remembrance through photographs and videos of the siblings, writing a letter to Presley about the challenge of navigating life without him.

Addressing him as “Prez”, she said she could not find the words to describe her loss and was still struggling to understand its scale.

“You know how much I loved being your sister. It has always been, and will forever be, my favourite thing about myself,” she wrote.

She remembered Presley as someone who had taught her much about life, describing him as “inherently good” and her “ultimate teacher”.

The model also reflected on the everyday moments that would now be different, including no longer being able to reach for her phone to call her brother.

“I am learning how to love you when I cannot see you,” she wrote. “How to tell you something without picking up my phone to call you. How to be your sister in a world that I can’t reach for you in. I don’t know how to do that yet.”

Kaia concluded her letter by recalling the comfort, laughter and protection Presley had given her throughout their lives.

“My best buddy, my great protector, the hardest I’ve ever laughed and the one true love of my life. You lit all of my candles and took all of my monsters away, and I love you,” she wrote.

The post was accompanied by First I Was, a song by Jake Minch that Kaia said was “the last thing we talked about”.

Among those who left messages of support were actors Taylor Lautner and Patrick Schwarzenegger, singer Suki Waterhouse and socialite Paris Hilton.

Hilton said Presley had been “truly one of a kind” and that she felt fortunate to have known him, adding that she would always remember him with love.

Presley entered the modelling industry at 15, when he signed with IMG Models, and went on to work with brands including Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana and Bottega Veneta.

He had also spoken publicly about his struggles with depression and substance abuse.

Los Angeles County medical examiner records state that Presley died on September 20 at a rehabilitation facility. The cause of death has not been disclosed.