'I'm so proud of the man you've become': Cindy Crawford's heartbreaking message to her 'little boy' Presley Gerber two months before his death aged just 27

Cindy Crawford shared a touching birthday message to her son Presley two months before his tragic death aged just 27. 

On Sunday, it was announced that the Presley has died in a rehab facility following years-long struggle with drugs, panic attacks and his mental health.

In July, Cindy, 60, posted a duo childhood images showing her cosying up to a young Presley alongside the caption: 'Happy birthday I’m so proud of the man you’ve become, but I’ll always see you as my little boy! Love you'. 

Cindy has frequently spoken about her son, incuding branding him a 'warrior' with daughter Kaia, 25, and husband Rande Gerber, 64, when they rallied around him in March after he discussed doing an Ibogaine treatment in Mexico.

Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive substance derived from an African shrub that is reported to help withdrawal symptoms and reset brain pathways. 

After Presley wrote about his experience, his family left supportive comments, with Cindy writing, 'You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud!'

Kaia added: 'That's my brother. I am so damn proud.'

Cindy Crawford shared a touching birthday message to her son Presley two months before his tragic death aged just 27

In July, Cindy, 60, posted a duo childhood images showing her cosying up to a young Presley alongside the caption: 'Happy birthday I’m so proud of the man you’ve become, but I’ll always see you as my little boy! Love you'

She shared a heartwarming caption in honhour of her 'little boy'

And his dad similarly gushed: 'I'm so proud of you and your courage. Facing what's hard takes real strength and watching you find your way back to yourself is everything. I love you so much.' 

In the caption of his post, Presley wrote: 'Pre Ibogaine Flood Dose - quiet moment before everything changed. i was absolutely terrified, and I knew I would be again if I ever had to face something like this (helps to not go into the situations you do that get ya there but that’s life sometimes)... 

'My mantras were love yourself and lis gotta be the last time for this reason. letting go of control didn’t come easy, but I trusted there was something bigger than me guiding it. I knew why i was there. I faced what I had been running from, and somewhere in all of it, i started finding my way back to myself…. We shall see…. Praying it’s the last time I have to come back...

'Next time I’d like to choose. And absolutely can’t forget the incredible caring kind and on their sh*t team. Helps a lot haha. And I made some dope ass friends there  #iboga #ibogaine #rewireyourbrain #loveyourself #mentalhealth.' 

His death comes just weeks after his younger sister Kaia opened up about the enormous toll her brother's struggles had taken on their famous family. 

In admitting the turmoil had effectively 'leveled everyone', she told Vogue: 'When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone'.

Presley died on Sunday at a rehab facility, according to TMZ. His cause of death was not revealed (Pictured with Kaia, Rande and Cindy in 2018)

Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive substance derived from an African shrub that is reported to help withdrawal symptoms and reset brain pathways

A rep for Crawford told the Daily Mail: 'The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time.'

The tragedy cuts short the life of a model who had seemingly been destined to follow his famous mother into fashion from an early age.

Presley started modeling at age 15 and was featured in campaigns for fashion labels such as Dolce & Gabbana and Calvin Klein.

Presley was signed to IMG models and appeared in a 2018 Pepsi ad with his mother.

He also struggled with mental health at a young age and was arrested for driving under the influence in 2019.

Cindy and Presley are pictured in November 2024

Ibogaine, an extract from the iboga plant, is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States.

Despite its ban, public figures including singer and songwriter Melissa Etheridge – who lost her 21-year-old son Beckett to a fentanyl overdose in 2020 – and Lamar Odom have endorsed its benefits.

And a Stanford University study published in January 2024 reported that ibogaine significantly improved symptoms of anxiety and depression in 30 veterans.

According to the Washington Post, ibogaine became prohibited in America in 1967.

'It heals the brain,' neurologist Deborah Mash explained to the publication in March 2024, noting that the substance rewires the organ by promoting growth of 'neural networks in damaged brains.'