The investigation into the death of Presley Gerber has shifted toward the protocols of the Santa Monica facility where he was staying, following reports that the 27-year-old model filmed himself inside the residence just hours before he was found unresponsive. Gerber, the son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, died on September 20, 2026, at Resolutions Living, a sober living home located in the 1000 block of Berkeley Street.
According to reports from TMZ, video footage filmed by Gerber at approximately 10:00 p.m. on September 19 shows him inside the facility the night before his death. The Santa Monica Police Department discovered Gerber unresponsive at 9:35 a.m. the following morning. While the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has completed an autopsy, the official cause of death has been deferred pending toxicology results, though authorities are currently investigating the matter as a suspected overdose with no signs of foul play.
Admissions Protocol Under Scrutiny
New details surrounding Gerber’s final hours suggest a breakdown in standard safety procedures. Sources reported to TMZ that a sober coach dropped Gerber off at Resolutions Living on the afternoon of Saturday, September 19, because a bed at a primary inpatient rehabilitation center would not be available until the following Monday. The sober coach reportedly informed the facility’s staff that Gerber was actively under the influence at the time of check-in.
This admission has raised significant questions regarding facility policy. Sober living homes typically require residents to be substance-free upon entry, as they are not equipped to provide the medical supervision necessary for detoxification.
Regulatory Oversight and Facility History
The incident has highlighted what the Los Angeles Times describes as a “regulatory gray area” in California law. Unlike licensed residential treatment centers, sober living homes are often classified as ordinary residences for people with disabilities. This classification protects them from certain local zoning laws but also means they are not authorized to provide medical care or formal substance abuse treatment.
Resolutions Living is an unlicensed facility in terms of medical treatment. Its founder, Reza Nabavi, has previously faced scrutiny regarding his professional history, including drug-related arrests dating back to 2002 and subsequent disciplinary proceedings. The lack of medical oversight at such facilities is a central point of the ongoing inquiry, specifically regarding why a resident suspected of being under the influence was not directed to a licensed medical detox center.
Gerber had been open about his struggles and goals in the past, discussing his recovery journey during a 2023 appearance on the “Studio 22” podcast. Following his death, Gerber was reportedly cremated less than a week after the incident. His family has not released a formal statement regarding the specific allegations of negligence at the facility, though a spokesperson initially confirmed his passing occurred at a “rehab facility,” a term later clarified by investigators to be a sober living residence.
