Supermodel Cindy Crawford 'Devastated with Grief' at the Death of Her Son Presley

Supermodel Cindy Crawford and her family have been devastated with grief at the death of her son, Presley Gerber. In an emotional message posted on Instagram on Sunday, Crawford wrote that they were 'devastated with grief'. Beside a black-and-white photograph of her son, she wrote: 'He was a sweet, beautiful soul, who loved and was loved — now and forever.'

Presley Gerber, aged 27, died on 20 September at a rehabilitation centre in California. Police have said his death is being investigated on suspicion of a drug overdose. The case is listed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner as 'pending, subject to further investigation'. The Santa Monica Police Department said no indication of any foul play or attempted murder had been found in this death.

The mother's tribute also mentioned the dates of Presley's birth and death. Crawford wrote: 'We are proud of how he presented himself to the world, with kindness and the courage to express his own vulnerability.' She wrote further: 'We consider ourselves blessed to have had Presley in our lives for 27 years.'

Gratitude towards well-wishers was also expressed on behalf of the family. Crawford wrote: 'We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support that has come from those who know and love the family, and even from strangers who have felt our pain.' She ended the message with an angel-wings emoji — 'Until we meet again, our sweet boy. We love you forever — Mum, Dad and Kaia.'

Presley was himself a model — like his mother Cindy Crawford and his younger sister Kaia Gerber. At just 16 years of age, he made his runway debut for the Italian fashion brand Moschino. In photographs taken with the family, he has been seen with his mother, his father Rande Gerber and his sister Kaia.

His sister Kaia Gerber also posted on Sunday in memory of her brother. It contains a video of the two siblings dancing together in childhood, photographs of them standing near the sea, and a four-page letter typed on a blue background, in which she addresses her brother as 'Prez'.

In the letter, Kaia brought up a touching memory of childhood. She wrote that she was afraid of getting her ears pierced, so her brother had first pierced his own. Then she wrote: 'But when I held in my hand the open earring that came off your body, only one thought kept coming to mind: this is yours.'

In another part of the letter, Kaia wrote: 'I am learning how to love you when I can't see you. How to speak what is in my heart without picking up the phone and calling you. How to be your sister in a world where I can't reach out my hand and touch you.' These words of the sister make the depth of the family's grief clear.

In recent years, Presley had spoken openly about his mental health struggles and drug use. He himself would post videos on Instagram, which he called 'Mental Health Mondays'. By speaking publicly about his own experience, there was an attempt on his part to stand beside people with similar problems.

Presley's father, Rande Gerber, is a well-known businessman. He co-founded the Casamigos tequila brand together with George Clooney. The family is talked about in both the fashion and business worlds, so at the news of the son's untimely death, a shadow of grief has fallen over circles of well-wishers.

The investigation into the real cause of the death has not yet ended. The medical examiner's office is waiting for the results of further investigation, and the police are examining the angle of a suspected drug overdose. Until the formal conclusion of the investigation arrives, no further details have been given by the family.

In his brief life of 27 years, Presley Gerber was known not only for the sparkle of the runway but also for his mental health struggle. In the tributes of his mother and sister, it is that very boy who kept returning — who wanted to reach people with kindness and candour. In the family's words, that memory is now their greatest treasure.