A disturbing new video is shedding light on Presley Gerber’s final hours before the 27-year-old model was found dead at a Santa Monica sober living facility.
Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, recorded himself walking through Resolutions Living late Saturday night, just hours before paramedics pronounced him dead on the morning of Sept. 20.
The footage, obtained by TMZ, reportedly was recorded around 10 p.m. and shows Gerber moving through a bedroom and other areas of the residence while apparently alone.
TMZ described Gerber as appearing impaired in the recording, although exactly what substances may have been in his system has not been established. His official cause and manner of death remain undetermined while the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner awaits additional testing. TMZ
According to sources cited by TMZ, Gerber had allegedly used drugs earlier that Saturday and became worried that he was losing control.
His sober coach then reportedly contacted Resolutions Living and told an admissions employee that Gerber was already under the influence before asking whether the facility would accept him.
The employee allegedly agreed.
TMZ reported that Gerber arrived at the Santa Monica residence shortly after 6 p.m., with sources claiming the plan was for him to remain there temporarily until he could enter a more intensive rehabilitation program the following Monday. TMZ
That next step never happened.
Gerber was found unresponsive the following morning. Paramedics pronounced him dead at 9:45 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Santa Monica police have said they are investigating the death as a suspected overdose and reported no signs of foul play. Authorities have not publicly identified the substance involved, and toxicology findings could take months. Los Angeles County Medical Examiner
The distinction is important because reports describing Gerber’s death as an overdose remain preliminary. The medical examiner has officially deferred both the cause and manner of death pending additional testing.
Questions are now mounting over how Gerber came to be at the sober living residence in the first place.
Sources told TMZ that he allegedly continued using drugs after arriving at the property. The outlet also reported that the admissions employee who accepted him was later fired, although the facility has not publicly provided a detailed account disputing or confirming all of the allegations surrounding Gerber’s stay. TMZ
The case has also drawn attention to the difference between a sober living home and a medically supervised detox or residential treatment center.
TMZ reported that Resolutions Living was not licensed by California as a medical treatment facility. That does not necessarily mean it was operating illegally because sober living residences can fall under different regulatory rules depending on the services they provide. However, treatment professionals interviewed by the outlet questioned whether a sober home would be an appropriate setting for someone who was actively intoxicated and potentially at risk of withdrawal or overdose. AOL.com
Gerber had been unusually open about his struggles before his death.
The model had publicly discussed addiction, depression and his efforts to get sober, at times using his own experiences to encourage others to speak more openly about mental health and substance use.
Gerber began modeling as a teenager and worked with major fashion brands after following his famous mother into the industry. He also appeared alongside Crawford and his younger sister, Kaia Gerber, in high-profile campaigns during his career. AP News
His relationship with Kaia appears to have remained especially close.
Just four days before Presley died, Kaia spoke publicly about the small ways her brother supported her acting career, including watching her television work and sending her messages about what he had seen.
After his death, a representative for Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber and Kaia asked that the family be given privacy during what they described as an extremely painful period. People.com
Friends have reportedly surrounded the Gerber family in the days since, while Kaia has largely stepped away from the spotlight as the family grieves.
For now, the newly released video provides only a glimpse into Presley’s final night rather than a definitive explanation of what happened.
Investigators still must determine what was in his system, whether any substances directly caused his death and the circumstances surrounding how he obtained them.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner cautioned that a final determination could take several months.
Until those results are completed, Gerber’s death remains officially under investigation. Los Angeles County Medical Examiner
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