Kaia Gerber has broken her silence following the tragic death of her brother, Presley Gerber. She shared a deeply personal and emotional letter dedicated to her only sibling. Presley passed away at the age of 27 on September 20 at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica, California.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday, October 18, the model posted a lengthy, heartbreaking tribute alongside a childhood video and photographs of the siblings together. In her message, Kaia expressed the sheer magnitude of her grief. She wrote, “I don’t have the words,” and admitted she was “quite literally, down on my f***ing knees.”
A Lifelong Bond and Protector
Throughout the heartfelt note, Kaia reflected on the profound role Presley played in her life. She described him as her protector, best friend, and the “one true love of my life.” She emphasized that being his sister was her favorite thing about herself.
“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,” she wrote. Kaia added that loving him required no effort at all, declaring, “I was born loving you. I will die loving you. There was never anything else.”
Childhood Memories and Painful Parallels
Kaia shared tender childhood memories that took on a heartbreaking significance after her brother’s passing. She recalled a moment when she was too afraid to get her ears pierced, prompting Presley to go first to help her face the fear.
“You always went first,” she wrote. “But when I held the earring they took from your body, all I could think was: that belongs to you. And I really f***ing wish you hadn’t gone first this time.”
Family Statement and Investigation
The emotional post came on the same day Kaia and her parents, supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, released a joint statement honoring Presley on Crawford’s Instagram account. The family described him as a “sweet, beautiful soul” and expressed gratitude for having him in their lives for 27 years.
Authorities previously reported that Presley was found unresponsive hours after checking into a Santa Monica rehab facility. While an official cause of death remains pending further investigation, police have looked into the incident as a suspected overdose with no foul play suspected.
Coping With the Loss
In the weeks leading up to his passing, both Kaia and her family had been open about the challenges Presley faced regarding his mental health and substance abuse. In a recent interview, Kaia praised her brother for being a “teacher” who brought vulnerability and human perspective to his struggles.
Concluding her tribute, Kaia looked toward an uncertain future without her older brother. She wrote about the difficulty of learning how to love someone she can no longer see. “My best buddy, my great protector, the hardest I’ve ever laughed and the one true love of my life – you lit all of my candles and took all of my monsters away,” she shared. “I love you the bluest, to the moon and back and back again, forever big brother.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Presley Gerber pass away?
Presley Gerber passed away on September 20 at the age of 27 at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica, California.
What did Kaia Gerber share in her tribute?
On October 18, Kaia posted an emotional letter and childhood media on Instagram. She reflected on their close bond, her grief, and fond memories of Presley always looking out for her.
What have investigators said about the cause of death?
Police investigated Presley’s death as a suspected overdose with no foul play suspected, though his official cause of death remains pending further investigation.
How did Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber respond?
Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber, and Kaia released a joint statement expressing their heartbreak. They praised Presley’s kindness and vulnerability and thanked the public for their support.
Who are Presley Gerber’s immediate family members?
Presley is the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, and the older brother of model and actress Kaia Gerber.
