Police Search For Drug Source In Presley Gerber's Santa Monica Death

SANTA MONICA, CA — Detectives investigating the suspected overdose death of Presley Gerber are trying to determine where the drugs involved came from, according to the Los Angeles Times, as Santa Monica police say it remains too early to discuss possible charges or responsibility.

Gerber, the 27-year-old son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died Sunday morning after entering a Santa Monica treatment facility just hours earlier.

The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that detectives are trying to trace the supplier of the drugs involved in Gerber's apparent overdose, citing unnamed law enforcement sources. The newspaper said the investigation remains in its early stages.

The Times first reported Monday that police were attempting to determine where the drugs came from and who supplied them. Its latest report focuses more closely on questions surrounding the source of the drugs and the Santa Monica facility where Gerber died.

Santa Monica police declined to confirm those specific details when Patch asked Thursday whether detectives were investigating a possible supplier, whether anyone had been identified, whether criminal charges were being considered and whether investigators were examining if the drugs were obtained before or after Gerber entered the facility.

"This investigation remains preliminary," SMPD Lt. Lewis Gilmour told Patch. "It would be premature to speculate about potential charges or responsibility on the part of any individual or facility. We have no additional findings to share beyond our published statement."

Gilmour said SMPD applies the same investigative standards to suspected overdose deaths regardless of an individual's public profile. Detectives work to establish the circumstances, he said, and any further action depends on the evidence.

Questions Surround Drug Source

Gerber checked into Resolution Living at about 10 p.m. Saturday, hours before his death, according to the Times.

The Times reported that police received one call reporting a cardiac arrest and another reporting an overdose at the facility Sunday morning. Officers arrived at about 9:35 a.m., and Gerber was pronounced dead by responding paramedics at 9:45 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

Resolution Living's website describes the residence as a "Mental Health Recovery Residence" and says its programs include partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient treatment for mental health conditions, addiction and co-occurring disorders.

SMPD said in a statement Monday that officers responded to the 1000 block of Berkeley Street following a report of a possible overdose and found an adult man dead at the scene. Police said detectives were investigating the death as a suspected overdose and there was no indication of foul play.

SMPD has not publicly identified what substance, if any, was involved, and authorities have not officially determined that an overdose caused Gerber's death. Gerber's death and the initial police investigation were previously reported by Patch.

Cause Of Death Remains Deferred

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said Monday that a deputy medical examiner had conducted an examination, but Gerber's cause and manner of death were deferred while additional testing or studies are completed.

The department said it could not disclose what testing or studies were requested because the death investigation remains ongoing. Deferred cases can take a few months before a cause of death is determined.

Gerber worked as a model, including appearing with his younger sister, Kaia Gerber, in a Calvin Klein Jeans advertising campaign. He was the eldest child of Crawford and Rande Gerber.

The investigation remains ongoing.