Presley Gerber said he was ‘absolutely terrified’ as he attempted to overcome his addictions with a controversial treatment six months before his death.
It was confirmed today that Presley, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber, had died aged 27 following a years-long struggle with drugs, panic attacks and his mental health.
In March, Presley posted about having a ‘Pre Ibogaine Flood Dose’ at a Mexican treatment clinic – a single, high-dose administration of the naturally occurring psychoactive substance ibogaine.
Ibogaine is derived from an African shrub and is reported to help withdrawal symptoms and reset brain pathways. The high-dose is designed to induce a profound psychoactive and physiological ‘reset’.
Admitting he was ‘absolutely terrified’ to go through the controversial treatment, which is illegal in the US, Presley was supported by his parents and sister Kaia Gerber for his ‘courage’.
Cindy commented on the post: ‘You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud!’
Presley Gerber six months before his death, during his controversial treatment in March, which he said he was ‘absolutely terrified’ him as he attempted to overcome his addictions
Kaia added: ‘that’s my brother I am so damn proud’ whilst Rande wrote: ‘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.’
Ibogaine is illegal in the US, where it is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance but it is legal or permitted by prescription in countries like Canada and Brazil while it is used in specialised clinics in Mexico.
The model tagged Beond Ibogaine in Cancun, praising the clinic’s ‘incredible, caring, kind and on-their-sh*t team’. Treatment at the clinic starts at $12,500 for a 10-day programme.
Presley captioned his video: ‘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.
It was confirmed on Monday that Presley, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber, has died at age 27 following a years-long struggle with drugs, panic attacks and his mental health (Presley, sister Kaia, Cindy and Rande pictured in May 2026)
In March, Presley posted about his experience at a Mexico treatment clinic, where he underwent a ‘Pre Ibogaine Flood Dose’
‘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.’
Beond Ibogaine commented on the post at the time, writing: ‘Thank you for sharing this so openly. We know how much courage that moment takes, and we’re really proud of you for facing it with so much honesty and heart.’
‘It was an honor to support you, and it means a lot to know you felt the care of the team and the connection around you. Wishing you so much strength and clarity for everything ahead.’
Beond Ibogaine’s website states that ‘Ingesting a large enough dose induces a temporary psychedelic experience that can last several hours, normally with no significant side effects.
‘For hundreds of years, indigenous African peoples, such as those practicing the Bwiti tradition, have ingested large doses of Ibogaine in its raw root bark form for its spiritual and healing properties.
‘Over the past thirty years, Ibogaine has been administered in various clinics around the world for medical treatment purposes, most often to treat drug dependence, including the use of ibogaine for alcoholism and ibogaine for opiate addiction.
‘Beond Ibogaine treatment exists to end suffering from trauma, depression & addiction. Faster. Safer & Forever,’ the website adds, explaining that their team is made up of ‘licensed credentialed Medical Doctors, Registered Nurses, and experienced Preparation & Integration Coaches.’
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said that Presley died on Sunday at a rehab facility in a devastating end to a battle he had increasingly laid bare in brutally candid social media posts. His cause of death was not revealed.
A spokesman for Crawford told the Daily Mail, ‘The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time.’
Admitting he was ‘absolutely terrified’ to go through the controversial treatment, which is illegal in the US, Presley was supported by his parents and sister Kaia Gerber for his ‘courage’
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. He 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.
Last month, Presley’s sister Kaia revealed how his drug use and mental health struggles had affected their family.
‘When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,’ she told Vogue.
Last November, Presley revealed he had taken a step back from social media to ‘take care of my own mental health for a bit’.
One month later, he opened up about his personal life in a candid social media video.
Kaia said her brother’s troubles made her want to be the ‘easy’ child. She explained: ‘I think that’s also why I started to self-identify as the easy one and never wanted to ask for help. Because it felt like too much to have two children who were needing.’
He listed medication he takes for ‘night terrors’ and ‘panic attacks’.
‘I feel like honesty is the best policy,’ he began before sharing that he was on 1mg of Buprenorphine, used to treat both pain and opioid use disorders, twice a day.
Presley also shared that the ‘benzos have been fluctuating up and down depending on what’s been going on in my life’.
Benzodiazepines help ‘slow down activity in your brain and nervous system’ to treat ‘anxiety and related mental health conditions’, per Cleveland Clinic.
‘Unfortunately, I’ve had a lot of loss in many different forms recently, so that is not an excuse, but it’s the reason why I am where I’m at now,’ he shared.
He did not go into detail about the ‘loss’ he referenced, but went on to explain that he also takes a dose of Xanax at night or when his ‘panic attacks are really, really bad’.
Presley pictured in his last Instagram post, shared on August 5
The model then listed Valium, admitting that he didn’t know exactly how much he’d been taking as he said, ‘Who f***ing knows anymore.’
He noted in the Instagram reel that ‘doctors say a lot of different things so it’s kind of scary. But hopefully between my research and their research and the world and God, we can finally figure this out.’
Presley also talked about the lack of ‘direction’ he has from doctors when it comes to his medication.
‘I’d like doctors to be like, “Take this three times a day.” But every psychiatrist I’ve had – and I’ve had 15 – are like, “Here’s 20 medications and take this if you feel like this, take this as needed.”
‘And I’m like, “No, don’t give me that much leeway.” I need some direction,’ he continued.
Kaia told Vogue that witnessing her brother’s honesty was ‘refreshing’.
‘My parents for most of our lives were very, very private and didn’t share anything – and now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, “I’m gonna be very human for everyone.” There’s only so much you can hide from the world,’ she said.
‘And trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you’re ashamed of them.’
Last November, Presley was open with his mental health and told how he had taken a ‘step back’ to take care of himself
One month later, he opened up about his personal life in a candid social media video and talked about medication he was taking to help with his ‘night terrors’ and ‘panic attacks’
Presley Gerber and Kaia Gerber watching the LA Lakers in February 2024
Brooklyn Beckham and Paris Hilton led tributes to their friend on Monday.
Brooklyn took to Instagram to share an image showing him and Presley posing together alongside the caption: ‘I am so heartbroken. Presley you were the kindest and we are going to miss you somuch x we love you.’
Paris commented on the model’s final Instagram post just hours before news of his passing, before posting an Instagram story of herself with Presley with the caption: ‘I’m completely heartbroken. I still can’t believe this is real…
‘Presley, you were such a beautiful soul. So sweet, sensitive, kind and genuine. I cared about you so much, and I’m going to miss you more than words can say.’
The star added that she will ‘cherish the memories’ that they made over the years, including ‘the laughs, the conversations, and just being around you’.
She continued: ‘You had such a gentle heart and there was something so special about you that anyone who was lucky enough to know you could feel…
‘I hope you knew how deeply loved you were and how many people cared about you. My heart is with your entire family during this unimaginable time. Rest in peace, my friend. Love you forever. You will be so deeply missed.’
Brooklyn took to Instagram to share an image showing him and Presley posing together alongside the caption: ‘I am so heartbroken. Presley you were the kindest and we are going to miss you somuch x we love you.’
Only hours before news of his shock passing came to light, Paris had commented on the final post, which saw him modeling clothes from the brand Vuori. She wrote: ‘Love you bro,’ she wrote with a heart-face emoji and the heart hands emoji.
The Hills star Brody also posted on Presley’s final Instagram post from last month to share a dove and broken heart emoji with the words: ‘love you brother’.
