Presley Gerber’s death has resulted in an investigation into the sober living facility where he was staying prior to his fatal overdose.
According to Page Six, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) determined there wasn’t enough evidence to substantiate any wrongdoing on the part of the Resolutions Living treatment facility, located in Santa Monica.
The outlet reported on Thursday, October 22, that a reform advocate with no relation to Gerber filed a formal complaint with DHCS after the model died on September 20 at the age of 27. Presley, the son of model Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, had checked into the facility the night before his death.
The advocate requested a full review of Resolutions Living’s practices to determine whether the facility was operating “beyond the lawful scope of sober living” and if the facility accepted an individual who required a “higher level of care” than what it was able to provide when Presley arrived. (Resolutions Living is a $7.7 million sober home in Southern California that provides mental health and addiction support.)
“A 27-year-old man entered this environment seeking help and was dead the following morning. Regardless of the ultimate cause of death, the circumstances warrant a thorough regulatory investigation into the facility,” the complaint read.
The complaint also cited Page Six’s prior article in which the publication stated that Presley appeared to be under the influence when he checked into Resolutions Living.
“That allegation raises extremely serious questions about his admission, screening, supervision, and level-of-care determination,” the advocate wrote, referring to the report.
The inquiry focused on two main points: “Was an individual reportedly under the influence admitted to a sober living residence that was not authorized to provide the level of care he required, and was Resolutions Living actually providing regulated addiction treatment, detoxification, clinical monitoring, or recovery services beyond the lawful scope of sober housing?”
DHCS spokesman Anthony Cava released a statement last month about the inquiry, stating, “DHCS does not oversee sober living homes, and would only investigate sober living homes to determine if they are operating as an unlicensed treatment facility in violation of state law.”
According to Union-Bulletin, Cava said no further information was available.
Page Six reported on Thursday that DHCS ultimately determined the complaints were “not substantiated.”
Us reached out to the Gerber family and Resolutions Living for comment.
The latest investigation update comes one month after news broke that Presley died.
The Santa Monica Police Department later told Us that officers responded to a call regarding a possible overdose at 9:35 a.m. local time at the sober home on Sunday, where they found an unresponsive adult male at the scene. (Presley was vocal about his mental health and addiction struggles prior to his death.)
“The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has identified the individual as Presley Gerber, 27,” authorities said in a statement. “SMPD detectives are investigating the death as a suspected overdose. At this time, there is no indication of foul play. The official cause and manner of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.”
One day later, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that Presley’s body was “ready for release,” but the cause of death was “deferred” for now, per records viewed by Us. Presley’s body was later cremated.
His loved ones broke their silence over his death earlier this month.
“We are beyond heartbroken to lose our beloved son and brother. We feel so blessed to have had Presley in our lives for 27 years,” the family wrote in an Instagram statement on Sunday, October 18. “He is a sweet, beautiful soul who loved and is loved, now and forever.”
Presley’s sister, Kaia Gerber, shared her own heartfelt tribute on Sunday, writing, “To say loving you was the easiest thing in the world would imply that it required any effort at all. I was born loving you. I will die loving you. There was never anything else.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
