Cindy Crawford dubbed her son, Presley Gerber, a “warrior” amid his addiction battle, six months before his death.
The supermodel, 60, left the label on a March Instagram video her eldest child posted from a Cancún, Mexico, wellness clinic.
“You are a warrior!” she wrote at the time. “Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud! 🙏”
Cindy Crawford (pictured above in November 2024) praised son Presley Gerber as a “warrior” in March, six months prior to his passing. Getty Images for Haute Living
“Walked thru the fire to find yourself!” the supermodel (pictured above in September 2008) gushed in an Instagram comment. Malizoo / BACKGRID
Crawford’s husband, Rande Gerber, similarly commented, “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.”
Meanwhile, the couple’s daughter, Kaia Gerber, penned that she was “so damn proud” of her brother.
At the time, Presley was telling his Instagram followers about his experience with the psychoactive ibogaine, which is found in the root bark of the West African shrub Tabernanthe iboga.
“I faced what I had been running from, and somewhere in all of it, I started finding my way back to myself,” he captioned a video of his treatment.
Crawford (pictured above in June 2018) concluded that she was “so proud” of her and Rande Gerber’s eldest child. Media Punch/INSTARimages.com
At the time, Presley was opening up about his time at a Mexico wellness clinic. Presley Gerber / Instagram
“We shall see,” Presley continued. “Praying it’s the last time I have to come back. Next time I’d like to choose 😜.”
The lengthy caption marked his last update on his addiction struggles as his next — and final — Instagram post in August featured a slideshow of modeling photos.
The 27-year-old was at an undisclosed rehab facility when he died on Sunday.
“The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time,” Crawford, Rande, 64, and Kaia, 25, wrote in a joint statement over the weekend.
“Praying it’s the last time I have to come back. Next time I’d like to choose,” he wrote. Presley Gerber / Instagram
Kaia also commented, writing that she was “so damn proud.” Cindy Crawford / Instagram
An autopsy has yet to be completed, and Presley’s cause of death remains unknown at this time.
Presley has been open about his struggles with alcohol and prescription medication over the years, even revealing in 2024 that he had suffered a near-fatal fentanyl overdose.
Kaia honored her sibling’s vulnerability in a recent Vogue interview, referring to him as her “greatest teacher.”
The actress highlighted how Presley’s “very human” transparency differed from their “very, very private” parents.
Rande (pictured above in August 2024) added, “Facing what’s hard takes real strength and watching you find your way back to yourself is everything.” Presley Gerber / Instagram
Presley (pictured above on Aug. 6) died on Sunday. Presley Gerber / Instagram
While Crawford did not speak publicly about Presley’s addiction, she did celebrate his birthday in July with a touching Instagram tribute.
“I’m so proud of the man you’ve become, but I’ll always see you as my little boy!” she captioned throwback snaps. “Love you.”
Crawford was present for Presley’s last public appearance, with her and Rande embracing him at the We Are ENOUGH x Aviator Nation launch event at Aviator Nation Dreamland in Malibu, California, on June 11.
If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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