Presley Gerber's Ex-Girlfriend Pays Tribute: "He Fought So Hard"

Sad news has fallen over the extended family of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber. Presley Gerber, the son of the supermodel and businessman, died on Sunday (20/09/26) at age 27. Lexi Wood, Presley's ex-girlfriend who is also a star of the reality show Summer House, was among those closest to him to pay public tribute through an Instagram post.

In her post, Lexi shared moments of their time together, accompanied by a touching caption. She wrote that losing Presley was hard to put into words, but friendship had always been at the core of their relationship. "He was one of the kindest, most open, loving, and brave people," she wrote, adding that Presley was very romantic and attentive.

Lexi also highlighted Presley's resilience in facing his life struggles. According to her, Presley fought very hard and was brave enough to be open about that struggle. "He wanted to use his story to help others, and he did," she said. Lexi said she felt fortunate to have shared years of friendship and love with Presley, and that she would always keep those memories.

According to information gathered, Presley is suspected to have died from cardiac arrest after an overdose. An emergency call to police mentioned an overdose in the Santa Monica area on Sunday morning, and the report also noted cardiac arrest. As of now, there has been no official statement from the family regarding the exact cause of death.

A source close to the family told People that the family is devastated, especially Kaia Gerber, who was known to be very close to her older brother. "Kaia loved Presley's openness about his struggle; the family is very proud that he found strength by helping others," the source said.

"He fought so hard for his life and he was brave enough to be open about that fight. More than anything, he wanted to use his story to help others, and he did." - Lexi Wood

Before his death, Presley was known to be vocal about mental health issues and substance abuse. He had said he did not want others to repeat the "mistakes" he had made. Last September, Kaia also spoke to Vogue about how her older brother's battle with addiction shaped her character. "When something like that happens in a family, it levels everyone. That's why I started identifying as an easy child and never wanted to ask for help. Because it felt too heavy to have two children who needed it," she said.

Presley's death adds to the long list of substance abuse cases among young celebrities. Mental health and addiction issues are indeed a global concern, including in Indonesia. Data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health shows that mental health disorders, including depression and drug abuse, are increasing among the younger generation. Stigma and lack of access to counseling services are often barriers for those who need help.

Presley's story of bravely opening up about his struggle can serve as a mirror for many families in Indonesia. Family support and a non-judgmental environment are key to recovery. However, the biggest challenge is building an inclusive and easily accessible support system, especially for those of productive age.

Going forward, public attention may focus on how the Gerber-Crawford family faces this difficult time, and whether Presley's legacy of openness can encourage greater awareness of the importance of mental health and substance abuse prevention, not only in the entertainment world but also in society at large.