Kaia Gerber Says She Wishes Presley Gerber "Hadn't Gone First"
"Heartbroken" Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber and Sister Kaia Gerber Speak Out After Presley Gerber’s Death
Kaia Gerber is mourning the unfathomable loss of her brother Presley Gerber.
Nearly a month after the 27-year-old son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber died from a suspected overdose on Sept. 20, the model shared a heartbreaking tribute to her late brother, reflecting on their special bond and how she’s navigating her grief.
“Prez, i don't have the words. and maybe the tiny mercy is that we didn't need them all along,” Kaia began in a statement shared to her Instagram page Oct. 18, “words fail and words subtract and words summarize and words always lack truth. and how naive of me to believe that language could transcend grief.”
“I’ve read all of the books and i have none of the answers,” she continued, “my articulation is no match against this, the magnitude of losing you. i am, quite literally, down on my f--king knees.”
The 25-year-old—who shared a sweet throwback photo and video with her brother—emphasized that she “loved” being Presley’s sister, writing that “it has always been, and will forever be, my favorite thing about myself.”
“I came into this world with a white-knuckle grip around you,” she added, “i had more love for you than i knew what to do with. and now that it has nowhere obvious to go, i'm certain it's going to swallow me whole.”
And while the Shards actress praised how Presley was the “ultimate teacher” who “always went first” before his sister, she hoped this time it was different.
“I keep thinking about how when we were little,” Kaia wrote, “i got scared before getting my ears pierced, so you went first.”
“But when i held the earring they took from your body, all i could think was: that belongs to you,” she continued. “and i really f--king wish you hadn't gone first this time.”
Justin Goff Photos/Getty Images
And though Kaia shared her life is forever changed following the devastating loss of her brother, her love for Presley will never go away.
“To say loving you was the easiest thing in the world would imply that it required any effort at all,” she wrote. “i was born loving you. i will die loving you. there was never anything else.”
But now, the Palm Royale actress is struggling to continue on without her best friend.
“I am learning how to love you when i cannot see you,” Kaia explained, “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.”
As she noted, “I don't know how to do that yet.”
Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images
But despite losing Presley, Kaia would “choose it all over again” for the years she had with her brother.
“I would walk knowingly toward this grief,” she wrote, “if it meant that on the other side of it i got to be your sister.”
While Kaia emphasized that the “party sucks so bad without” Presley, she’ll always hold him closet to her heart.
“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. and i love you. and i love you. only you know how much. thank you for being here.”
Alongside her emotional tribute, Kaia captioned her post, “i love you the bluest, to the moon and back and back again, forever big brother.”
For a look back at Presley’s sweet moments with Kaia and their family, keep reading…
Cindy Crawford/Instagram
The Sweetest Milestone
Kaia Gerber, Presley Gerber and Rande Gerber celebrated Cindy Crawford's 57th birthday in February 2023 with a darling cake adorned with fruits and long, golden candles.
For the supermodel, family time was the perfect gift, writing alongside the photo, "When all you want for your birthday is this…"
Cindy Crawford/Instagram
Smooth Sailing
Presley proved he would always be Cindy's little boy while sitting in her lap during a boat ride in August 2017. The mom of two wrote alongside the moment, "Never too old."
Rande Gerber/Instagram
Family Cuddle Session
As Kaia snuggled up close to Cindy while napping, Presley lounged on the couch next to their dog Widget in March 2018.
Kaia Gerber/Instagram
Going Head to Head
The Bottoms actress celebrated her older brother's 21st birthday in July 2020 with a throwback photo of the siblings. While Presley towered over her on the ATV, Kaia stood her ground in front of the four-wheeler.
Kaia Gerber/Instagram
Brotherly Love
Along with the photo of the siblings as kids, Kaia shared a sweet snap of her embracing Presley during a sunny afternoon outing.
Kaia Gerber/Instagram
Lakeside Vacay
Kaia and Presley shared a big hug in July 2017 while hanging out on a lakeside dock.
Kaia Gerber/Instagram
Hugs x2
The Mother Mary actress shared another photo from their lakeside outing a year later while honoring Presley's 19th birthday in July 2018.
"Words can't describe how much I love you, Prez," she captioned the post. "My best friend for life. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER. my whole heart is there celebrating with you today."
Kaia Gerber/Instagram
Giddy Up!
The model gave Kaia a piggyback ride at a Christmas tree farm in December 2018. She wrote alongside the pic, "It's a sport."
Rande Gerber/Instagram
Day Out With Dad
Rande celebrated National Siblings Day with a photo of Kaia and Presley grabbing food with their dad in April 2018. He captioned the moment, "Lunch with my life."
Kaia Gerber/Instagram
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
The siblings, matching in black jackets, tried to catch snowflakes on their tongues in December 2017. Kaia wrote, "Dad always capturing our best moments. merry christmas!"
Rande Gerber/Instagram
Everything on the Menu
Kaia, Presley and Rande posed in front of an IHOP in June 2019 before the family of four sat down for some pancakes.
"Cindy took this while waiting for a table," Rande captioned the pic. "Then we sat down and ordered every picture on the menu. I love my family!"
Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc
From the Very Beginning
Presley's public appearances started early, with Cindy attending the premiere of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron in May 2002 with the then-2-year-old.
Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Haute Living
Mother-Son Date
Presley supported his mom as they attended a celebration for her November 2024 cover issue for Haute Living, as well as the 20th anniversary of her beauty brand Meaningful Beauty.
Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images
Always Each Other's Biggest Fans
Presley, Cindy and Rande celebrated Kaia's collaboration with Re/Done for her "Short/Cuts" campaign in May 2026.
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