Kaia Gerber Pens Heartfelt Tribute to Late Brother Presley Gerber

Presley Gerber, son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber and the only brother of Kaia Gerber, died on September 20, 2026, at 27. Nearly a month later, his sister is paying tribute with a heartfelt letter posted on her social media.

On October 18, 2026, Kaia Gerber took to her Instagram account to share her long-awaited tribute for her late brother. The model posted a carousel featuring throwback photos and videos of her and her brother from childhood, interspersed with a letter she wrote after his death.

“I don't have the words. And maybe the tiny mercy is that we didn't need them all along. Words fail and words subtract and words summarize and words always lack truth. And how naive of me to believe that language could transcend grief,” Gerber's letter begins. “I've read all of the books and I have none of the answers. My articulation is no match against this, the magnitude of losing you. I am, quite literally, down on my f*cking knees.”

“You know how much I loved being your sister. It has always been, and will forever be, my favorite thing about myself,” she continued. “I came into this world with a white-knuckle grip around you. I had more love for you than I knew what to do with. And now that it has nowhere obvious to go, I'm certain it's going to swallow me whole. You believed—always believed—in people. ou met cruelty not with anger, but with confusion. And curiosity. You believed people were inherently good because, Presley, you are inherently good. And somehow, through all of it, I got to be your sister, your lucky eternal witness, watching you do the most hard-core, heavy metal thing anyone can do: you stayed soft.”

“You were my ultimate teacher while you were here, and now I'm left wondering what I could possibly be taught in your absence,” Gerber continued in another slide. “And I keep thinking about how when we were little, I got scared before getting my ears pierced, so you went first. You always went first. But when I held the earring they took from your body, all I could think was: that belongs to you. And I really f*cking wish you hadn't gone first this time.”

In her letter, Gerber also wrote, “I was born loving you. I will die loving you.” She added: “Even knowing where it ends, I would choose it all over again. Every second. I would walk knowingly toward this grief if it meant that on the other side of it I got to be your sister.”

In her carousel, Gerber also included a picture of Marie Howe's poem titled “The Gate," which the American writer penned after the death of her younger brother, John. You can read her tribute in full here.

Gerber's beautiful tribute touched many hearts, including many of her and her brother's peers, who left comments in awe. Dove Cameron wrote: “Language has a way of illuminating the impossibility of holding grief, for the ways it fails us. But you may have beaten language, here. I love you, Kaia. I’ve been thinking about you nonstop. Holding your hand in the void.” Gracie Abrams added: “Just love you with all my heart.” While Suki Waterhouse called the post “the most beautiful, moving tribute.”

Dora Jar also commented, writing: “I am so sorry for your deep loss, Kaia. Sending huge love. These words are both heartbreaking and heart-opening; thank you for sharing your love for your brother.” Model Mica Argañaraz added: “Only a love so profound could inspire words this beautiful. I’m so deeply moved by the love and tenderness in every word. What a beautiful tribute to such a special soul. I love you so much.” Cara Delevingne also chimed in, saying: “We are all standing with you, Kaia. It may not help with the pain you are going through, but we are here when and if you need.”

As a quick refresher, Presley Gerber died on Sunday, September 20, at a rehab facility, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. TMZ was first to report the news that same day. Family representatives confirmed Gerber's passing to multiple outlets, including TMZ, CNN, and People. “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time,” a rep's statement reads. A cause of death was not shared in the initial report. Since then, an autopsy was reportedly completed, but the cause of death is still deferred, per People.

Born and raised in California, 27-year-old Gerber began his career as a model after IMG signed him at just 15, alongside his sister. The duo later switched agencies in 2019. Gerber walked his first show for Moschino in 2016 and went on to work with brands such as Calvin Klein, Celine, Bottega Veneta, and Tommy Hilfiger, among others.

Throughout his career, Gerber was open about his struggles with mental health and drug use. Appearing on the Studio 22 podcast in early 2023, Gerber said: “Having struggled with mental health, depression, and some other things that come along with that, I think that whether I help one person or a hundred people get out of that place that I was in at one point in my life, that’s all I need to do.”

In the same interview, Gerber said mental health was a top priority for him, describing it as a "big part of my life" and a "24/7 job." On social media, Gerber was also open about the topic, launching a series called Mental Health Mondays. “When I started Mental Health Mondays, the goal was to spark real conversations about the stuff most people hide,” Gerber wrote on his Instagram. “It's been incredible seeing how far that message has spread and how many people it's helped. I'm proud that something I created has inspired others and started a bigger movement around openness and healing.”

Last December, Gerber made headlines after posting a video getting candid about his medication, which has since been deleted. “The benzos have been fluctuating up and down depending on what's been going on in my life,” Presley said in the video, per People. "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."

In the video, he added: “The doctors say a lot of different things, so it's kind of scary, but hopefully between my research and their research and God, we can figure this out.” Gerber also went on to share that the reason for making the video was so people watching it and going through the same experience would “feel like you’re not alone.” He added: “Because that is how I feel most of the time and I have a feeling that if I say all of this, a lot of people will at least know that there's someone else going through it.”

Gerber's mother, Cindy Crawford, left a comment under the video, reading: “Presley — we love you and you are not alone.” This past July, she also celebrated her son's birthday on social media, writing: “I’m so proud of the man you’ve become, but I’ll always see you as my little boy!”

Kaia Gerber previously opened up about her brother's journey in Vogue's September 2026 issue. “When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,” she said. “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. And trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you’re ashamed of them.”

Commenting on a post from March about mental health, Gerber also left a comment in support of her brother, writing, “That’s my brother I am so damn proud.”

When news of his passing broke, celebrities like Paris Hilton remembered Gerber's effect on their lives. “I’m completely heartbroken. I still can’t believe this is real,” Hilton shared. “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."

This story was update to include Kaia Gerber's tribute. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, text Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go here to learn exactly how to help a friend.