Expert Raises Questions About Presley Gerber’s Rehab Center

Cindy Crawford‘s son Presley Gerber‘s death investigation could take months to complete as officials wait for toxicology results and examine the circumstances surrounding his suspected overdose at a rehab facility.

The 27-year-old model died on September 20 after being found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. His cause and manner of death remain undetermined following an autopsy.

A forensic analyst has now raised questions about how drugs could have entered the facility and whether visitors were screened before seeing Presley Gerber.

Forensic Analyst Questions How Drugs Entered Presley Gerber’s Rehab

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Joseph Scott Morgan, a forensic analyst who spoke with NewsNation, said Gerber’s death investigation could become “very, very complex, very quickly” because he died inside a rehabilitation facility.

The forensic analyst, who has reportedly offered his expertise in suspected overdose investigations involving similar high-end rehabilitation facilities, raised questions about the security procedures at the center.

Morgan questioned whether Gerber was searched when he arrived and whether visitors who came to see him were checked.

“I think my big question, being that this is a rehab center, is: Was he checked?” Morgan said, per OK! Magazine. “Were any of his visitors checked? Did anybody bring anything in at all?”

Morgan noted that an autopsy could help address some of those questions. He explained that medical examiners typically conduct broad toxicology testing as part of an autopsy, which can help determine whether drugs were present in the stomach contents.

Toxicology Could Take Several Months As Expert Reveals What Would Be ‘The Key’ To The Investigation

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The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said an autopsy was performed after Gerber’s death, but his cause and manner of death were deferred because additional testing and studies were required.

The department said on September 21 that deferred cases can take a few months before a cause of death is determined. Santa Monica police are handling the law-enforcement investigation.

The forensic analyst explained that identifying a substance is only the first step.

“In the medical-legal world, we have a standard panel that we run in any case, and this looks at everything from any kind of synthetic drugs to aspirin you can find on board,” he explained.

“Just to get a qualifier will take a short period of time. You can say that it is there, but then they have to quantify those amounts,” Morgan said. “You know exactly how much was in his system, and then did it reach lethal levels. That’s going to be key here.”

Presley Gerber’s Family Now Has His Body As Suspicion Lingers

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As reported by People Magazine, Gerber’s body was released to a mortuary selected by his legal next of kin after the initial autopsy.

The late model was found unresponsive at the rehab facility on September 20 after authorities received a 911 call reporting an overdose and cardiac arrest.

Paramedics pronounced him dead at 9:45 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

Santa Monica police are investigating the death as a suspected overdose. Officials have said there is currently no indication of foul play.

In reference to the swift response of authorities to the scene, forensic analyst Morgan stated: “This is a young man who should not be deceased. They’re going to respond to this.”

“Our working assumption in any death investigation is that every death is suspicious. You have to work from that perspective in order to arrive at a thorough finding at the end,” he further noted.

The Late Model’s Recent Rehab Stay Is Part Of The Investigation

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Gerber had voluntarily entered the Santa Monica rehabilitation facility shortly before his death, according to earlier reports.

Sources told Page Six that he had been seeking treatment for substance-use problems and had struggled with alcohol and opioids, along with other medications.

The circumstances of his treatment have drawn attention because he died while receiving care.

Morgan said the setting means investigators will need to establish what Gerber had access to, what medications he was receiving, and whether anything entered the facility from outside.

Presley Gerber Genuinely Wanted The Struggle To End

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Gerber had spoken publicly about mental health. In a 2023 podcast appearance, he discussed depression, panic attacks, and his efforts to help other people who were struggling.

In a since-deleted December 2025 Instagram video, Gerber discussed taking several medications for panic attacks and said he was trying to avoid alcohol and negative influences, per People Magazine.

“I feel like honesty is the best policy,” Presley said. He added that he hoped to find people who could help him.

The model admitted that he had seen multiple doctors but was unsure about his next steps.

“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,” he concluded.

At the time, he said he was trying to focus on other things like working out, not drinking, and avoiding negative influences.

He concluded by expressing his hope that his documentary of things would help people.

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