Presley Gerber‘s ex-girlfriend Charlotte D’Alessio shared a heartbreaking message after his sudden death at age 27.
“Shared a pure love with you & for that I thank & honor your life,” the 28-year-old wrote via her Instagram Story on Monday, September 21. “You deserved more time. You deserved more life. Very angry [about] this.”
D’Alessio posted a handful of throwback photos of herself and Gerber, including one of the pair standing together on a dock. Another pic showed the duo — who dated for about two years after they were first linked in 2017 — getting cozy at home.
“Love u Pres,” D’Alessio continued. “Up there, down here. Don’t ever doubt that. We all love you so much. I hope you can feel it.”
She went on to share a video of Gerber running outside with a small dog, adding, “I will always remember you this way.”
Us confirmed Gerber’s death on Sunday, September 20. According to records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office, Gerber was at a rehab facility when he died.
“The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time,” read a statement from Gerber’s loved ones.
The model is survived by his parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, and sister Kaia Gerber.
An autopsy was completed on Monday, with the medical examiner confirming that Presley’s body was “ready for release.” His cause of death, however, has been “deferred” for the time being.
The Santa Monica Police Department told Us in a statement that Presley’s death is being investigated as “a suspected overdose,” with “no indication of foul play.” The investigation remains ongoing.
In the years before his death, Presley spoke candidly about his mental health struggles and battle with substance abuse.
“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,” he said on the “Studio 22” podcast in 2023.
He added, “It’s a huge part of my life. It’s a 24/7 job and there’s so much to it. That’s what I really want to do — help people get out of whether you’re depressed [or] struggling with something that’s having a negative effect on your body. … What I hope I can do is have made the mistakes for some other people, so they don’t have to make the same mistakes that I made.”
Earlier this year, Crawford, 60, opened up about the close bond her children shared after the family worked together on a campaign for the clothing brand Vuori.
“Nothing makes, I think, a parent prouder than when your kids like each other and love each other,” she told People in May. “And then I think they interviewed me and Presley together and Kaia and Rande together … It’s not often that you have that recorded and hear that, hearing what your kids have to say about you; if it’s good, it’s so nice.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
